Unmanned device utilization methods and systems

ABSTRACT

Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to perform a task, alone or in combination with other entities, or for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of theearliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listedapplication(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patent applicationsor claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patentapplications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Related Application(s)). All subject matter ofthe Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent,great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications,including any priority claims, is incorporated herein by reference tothe extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of {Attorney Docket Nos.0212-035-001, 0212-035-002, 0212-035-004, 0212-035-005}, each entitledUNMANNED DEVICE UTILIZATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS, naming Royce A. Levien,Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.,and Lowell L. Wood, Jr., as inventors, filed on even date herewith, eachof which is currently co-pending or is an application of which acurrently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of thefiling date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication claims benefit of priority of {Attorney Docket Nos.0212-035-001, 0212-035-002, 0212-035-004, 0212-035-005}, each entitledUNMANNED DEVICE UTILIZATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS, naming Royce A. Levien,Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.,and Lowell L. Wood, Jr., as inventors, filed on even date herewith, eachof which was filed within the twelve months preceding the filing date ofthe present application or is an application of which a currentlyco-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to theeffect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicantsreference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is acontinuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parentapplication. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of Prior-Filed Application, USPTOOfficial Gazette Mar. 18, 2003. The present Applicant Entity(hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to theapplication(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited bystatute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in itsspecific reference language and does not require either a serial numberor any characterization, such as “continuation” or“continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patentapplications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands thatthe USPTO's computer programs have certain data entry requirements, andhence Applicant has provided designation(s) of a relationship betweenthe present application and its parent application(s) as set forthabove, but expressly points out that such designation(s) are not to beconstrued in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as towhether or not the present application contains any new matter inaddition to the matter of its parent application(s).

BACKGROUND

The claims, description, and drawings of this application may describeone or more of the instant technologies in operational/functionallanguage, for example as a set of operations to be performed by acomputer. Such operational/functional description in most instanceswould be understood by one skilled the art as specifically-configuredhardware (e.g., because a general purpose computer in effect becomes aspecial purpose computer once it is programmed to perform particularfunctions pursuant to instructions from program software).

Importantly, although the operational/functional descriptions describedherein are understandable by the human mind, they are not abstract ideasof the operations/functions divorced from computational implementationof those operations/functions. Rather, the operations/functionsrepresent a specification for the massively complex computationalmachines or other means. As discussed in detail below, theoperational/functional language must be read in its proper technologicalcontext, i.e., as concrete specifications for physical implementations.

The logical operations/functions described herein are a distillation ofmachine specifications or other physical mechanisms specified by theoperations/functions such that the otherwise inscrutable machinespecifications may be comprehensible to the human mind. The distillationalso allows one of skill in the art to adapt the operational/functionaldescription of the technology across many different specific vendors'hardware configurations or platforms, without being limited to specificvendors' hardware configurations or platforms.

Some of the present technical description (e.g., detailed description,drawings, claims, etc.) may be set forth in terms of logicaloperations/functions. As described in more detail in the followingparagraphs, these logical operations/functions are not representationsof abstract ideas, but rather representative of static or sequencedspecifications of various hardware elements. Differently stated, unlesscontext dictates otherwise, the logical operations/functions will beunderstood by those of skill in the art to be representative of staticor sequenced specifications of various hardware elements. This is truebecause tools available to one of skill in the art to implementtechnical disclosures set forth in operational/functional formats—toolsin the form of a high-level programming language (e.g., C, java, visualbasic), etc.), or tools in the form of Very high speed HardwareDescription Language (“VHDL,” which is a language that uses text todescribe logic circuits)—are generators of static or sequencedspecifications of various hardware configurations. This fact issometimes obscured by the broad term “software,” but, as shown by thefollowing explanation, those skilled in the art understand that what istermed “software” is a shorthand for a massively complexinterchaining/specification of ordered-matter elements. The term“ordered-matter elements” may refer to physical components ofcomputation, such as assemblies of electronic logic gates, molecularcomputing logic constituents, quantum computing mechanisms, etc.

For example, a high-level programming language is a programming languagewith strong abstraction, e.g., multiple levels of abstraction, from thedetails of the sequential organizations, states, inputs, outputs, etc.,of the machines that a high-level programming language actuallyspecifies. See, e.g., Wikipedia, High-level programming language,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-level_programming_language (as of Jun.5, 2012, 21:00 GMT). In order to facilitate human comprehension, in manyinstances, high-level programming languages resemble or even sharesymbols with natural languages. See, e.g., Wikipedia, Natural language,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language (as of Jun. 5, 2012, 21:00GMT).

It has been argued that because high-level programming languages usestrong abstraction (e.g., that they may resemble or share symbols withnatural languages), they are therefore a “purely mental construct.”(e.g., that “software”—a computer program or computer programming—issomehow an ineffable mental construct, because at a high level ofabstraction, it can be conceived and understood in the human mind). Thisargument has been used to characterize technical description in the formof functions/operations as somehow “abstract ideas.” In fact, intechnological arts (e.g., the information and communicationtechnologies) this is not true.

The fact that high-level programming languages use strong abstraction tofacilitate human understanding should not be taken as an indication thatwhat is expressed is an abstract idea. In fact, those skilled in the artunderstand that just the opposite is true. If a high-level programminglanguage is the tool used to implement a technical disclosure in theform of functions/operations, those skilled in the art will recognizethat, far from being abstract, imprecise, “fuzzy,” or “mental” in anysignificant semantic sense, such a tool is instead a nearincomprehensibly precise sequential specification of specificcomputational machines—the parts of which are built up byactivating/selecting such parts from typically more generalcomputational machines over time (e.g., clocked time). This fact issometimes obscured by the superficial similarities between high-levelprogramming languages and natural languages. These superficialsimilarities also may cause a glossing over of the fact that high-levelprogramming language implementations ultimately perform valuable work bycreating/controlling many different computational machines.

The many different computational machines that a high-level programminglanguage specifies are almost unimaginably complex. At base, thehardware used in the computational machines typically consists of sometype of ordered matter (e.g., traditional electronic devices (e.g.,transistors), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), quantum devices, mechanicalswitches, optics, fluidics, pneumatics, optical devices (e.g., opticalinterference devices), molecules, etc.) that are arranged to form logicgates. Logic gates are typically physical devices that may beelectrically, mechanically, chemically, or otherwise driven to changephysical state in order to create a physical reality of Boolean logic.

Logic gates may be arranged to form logic circuits, which are typicallyphysical devices that may be electrically, mechanically, chemically, orotherwise driven to create a physical reality of certain logicalfunctions. Types of logic circuits include such devices as multiplexers,registers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs), computer memory, etc., eachtype of which may be combined to form yet other types of physicaldevices, such as a central processing unit (CPU)—the best known of whichis the microprocessor. A modern microprocessor will often contain morethan one hundred million logic gates in its many logic circuits (andoften more than a billion transistors). See, e.g., Wikipedia, Logicgates, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic_gates (as of Jun. 5, 2012,21:03 GMT).

The logic circuits forming the microprocessor are arranged to provide amicroarchitecture that will carry out the instructions defined by thatmicroprocessor's defined Instruction Set Architecture. The InstructionSet Architecture is the part of the microprocessor architecture relatedto programming, including the native data types, instructions,registers, addressing modes, memory architecture, interrupt andexception handling, and external Input/Output. See, e.g., Wikipedia,Computer architecture,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_architecture (as of Jun. 5, 2012,21:03 GMT).

The Instruction Set Architecture includes a specification of the machinelanguage that can be used by programmers to use/control themicroprocessor. Since the machine language instructions are such thatthey may be executed directly by the microprocessor, typically theyconsist of strings of binary digits, or bits. For example, a typicalmachine language instruction might be many bits long (e.g., 32, 64, or128 bit strings are currently common). A typical machine languageinstruction might take the form “11110000101011110000111100111111” (a 32bit instruction).

It is significant here that, although the machine language instructionsare written as sequences of binary digits, in actuality those binarydigits specify physical reality. For example, if certain semiconductorsare used to make the operations of Boolean logic a physical reality, theapparently mathematical bits “1” and “0” in a machine languageinstruction actually constitute a shorthand that specifies theapplication of specific voltages to specific wires. For example, in somesemiconductor technologies, the binary number “1” (e.g., logical “1”) ina machine language instruction specifies around +5 volts applied to aspecific “wire” (e.g., metallic traces on a printed circuit board) andthe binary number “0” (e.g., logical “0”) in a machine languageinstruction specifies around −5 volts applied to a specific “wire.” Inaddition to specifying voltages of the machines' configuration, suchmachine language instructions also select out and activate specificgroupings of logic gates from the millions of logic gates of the moregeneral machine. Thus, far from abstract mathematical expressions,machine language instruction programs, even though written as a stringof zeros and ones, specify many, many constructed physical machines orphysical machine states.

Machine language is typically incomprehensible by most humans (e.g., theabove example was just ONE instruction, and some personal computersexecute more than two billion instructions every second). See, e.g.,Wikipedia, Instructions per second,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructions_per_second (as of Jun. 5,2012, 21:04 GMT).

Thus, programs written in machine language—which may be tens of millionsof machine language instructions long—are incomprehensible. In view ofthis, early assembly languages were developed that used mnemonic codesto refer to machine language instructions, rather than using the machinelanguage instructions' numeric values directly (e.g., for performing amultiplication operation, programmers coded the abbreviation “mult,”which represents the binary number “011000” in MIPS machine code). Whileassembly languages were initially a great aid to humans controlling themicroprocessors to perform work, in time the complexity of the work thatneeded to be done by the humans outstripped the ability of humans tocontrol the microprocessors using merely assembly languages.

At this point, it was noted that the same tasks needed to be done overand over, and the machine language necessary to do those repetitivetasks was the same. In view of this, compilers were created. A compileris a device that takes a statement that is more comprehensible to ahuman than either machine or assembly language, such as “add 2+2 andoutput the result,” and translates that human understandable statementinto a complicated, tedious, and immense machine language code (e.g.,millions of 32, 64, or 128 bit length strings). Compilers thus translatehigh-level programming language into machine language.

This compiled machine language, as described above, is then used as thetechnical specification which sequentially constructs and causes theinteroperation of many different computational machines such thathumanly useful, tangible, and concrete work is done. For example, asindicated above, such machine language—the compiled version of thehigher-level language—functions as a technical specification whichselects out hardware logic gates, specifies voltage levels, voltagetransition timings, etc., such that the humanly useful work isaccomplished by the hardware.

Thus, a functional/operational technical description, when viewed by oneof skill in the art, is far from an abstract idea. Rather, such afunctional/operational technical description, when understood throughthe tools available in the art such as those just described, is insteadunderstood to be a humanly understandable representation of a hardwarespecification, the complexity and specificity of which far exceeds thecomprehension of most any one human. With this in mind, those skilled inthe art will understand that any such operational/functional technicaldescriptions—in view of the disclosures herein and the knowledge ofthose skilled in the art—may be understood as operations made intophysical reality by (a) one or more interchained physical machines, (b)interchained logic gates configured to create one or more physicalmachine(s) representative of sequential/combinatorial logic(s), (c)interchained ordered matter making up logic gates (e.g., interchainedelectronic devices (e.g., transistors), DNA, quantum devices, mechanicalswitches, optics, fluidics, pneumatics, molecules, etc.) that createphysical reality representative of logic(s), or (d) virtually anycombination of the foregoing. Indeed, any physical object which has astable, measurable, and changeable state may be used to construct amachine based on the above technical description. Charles Babbage, forexample, constructed the first computer out of wood and powered bycranking a handle.

Thus, far from being understood as an abstract idea, those skilled inthe art will recognize a functional/operational technical description asa humanly-understandable representation of one or more almostunimaginably complex and time sequenced hardware instantiations. Thefact that functional/operational technical descriptions might lendthemselves readily to high-level computing languages (or high-levelblock diagrams for that matter) that share some words, structures,phrases, etc. with natural language simply cannot be taken as anindication that such functional/operational technical descriptions areabstract ideas, or mere expressions of abstract ideas. In fact, asoutlined herein, in the technological arts this is simply not true. Whenviewed through the tools available to those of skill in the art, suchfunctional/operational technical descriptions are seen as specifyinghardware configurations of almost unimaginable complexity.

As outlined above, the reason for the use of functional/operationaltechnical descriptions is at least twofold. First, the use offunctional/operational technical descriptions allows near-infinitelycomplex machines and machine operations arising from interchainedhardware elements to be described in a manner that the human mind canprocess (e.g., by mimicking natural language and logical narrativeflow). Second, the use of functional/operational technical descriptionsassists the person of skill in the art in understanding the describedsubject matter by providing a description that is more or lessindependent of any specific vendor's piece(s) of hardware.

The use of functional/operational technical descriptions assists theperson of skill in the art in understanding the described subject mattersince, as is evident from the above discussion, one could easily,although not quickly, transcribe the technical descriptions set forth inthis document as trillions of ones and zeroes, billions of single linesof assembly-level machine code, millions of logic gates, thousands ofgate arrays, or any number of intermediate levels of abstractions.However, if any such low-level technical descriptions were to replacethe present technical description, a person of skill in the art couldencounter undue difficulty in implementing the disclosure, because sucha low-level technical description would likely add complexity without acorresponding benefit (e.g., by describing the subject matter utilizingthe conventions of one or more vendor-specific pieces of hardware).Thus, the use of functional/operational technical descriptions assiststhose of skill in the art by separating the technical descriptions fromthe conventions of any vendor-specific piece of hardware.

In view of the foregoing, the logical operations/functions set forth inthe present technical description are representative of static orsequenced specifications of various ordered-matter elements, in orderthat such specifications may be comprehensible to the human mind andadaptable to create many various hardware configurations. The logicaloperations/functions disclosed herein should be treated as such, andshould not be disparagingly characterized as abstract ideas merelybecause the specifications they represent are presented in a manner thatone of skill in the art can readily understand and apply in a mannerindependent of a specific vendor's hardware implementation.

SUMMARY

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to indicating a first unmanned aerial deviceparticipating in a first task and signaling a decision whether or not tocause the first unmanned aerial device to recognize an alias identifyingthe first unmanned aerial device as an automatic and conditionalresponse to an indication of the first unmanned aerial deviceparticipating in the first task, the alias being different than aprimary digital identifier of the first unmanned aerial device. Inaddition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems may include virtually any combinationpermissible under 35 U.S.C. §101 of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for indicating a first unmannedaerial device participating in a first task and circuitry for signalinga decision whether or not to cause the first unmanned aerial device torecognize an alias identifying the first unmanned aerial device as anautomatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstunmanned aerial device participating in the first task, the alias beingdifferent than a primary digital identifier of the first unmanned aerialdevice. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are describedin the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the presentdisclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to indicating a first unmanned aerialdevice participating in a first task and signaling a decision whether ornot to cause the first unmanned aerial device to recognize an aliasidentifying the first unmanned aerial device as an automatic andconditional response to an indication of the first unmanned aerialdevice participating in the first task, the alias being different than aprimary digital identifier of the first unmanned aerial device. Inaddition to the foregoing, other computer program product aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device configure thecomputing device for indicating a first unmanned aerial deviceparticipating in a first task and signaling a decision whether or not tocause the first unmanned aerial device to recognize an alias identifyingthe first unmanned aerial device as an automatic and conditionalresponse to an indication of the first unmanned aerial deviceparticipating in the first task, the alias being different than aprimary digital identifier of the first unmanned aerial device. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to obtaining first data indicating that afirst unmanned aerial device delivered a first item to a first entityand transmitting via a free space medium the first data to a provider ofthe first item as an automatic and conditional response to the firstdata indicating that the first unmanned aerial device delivered thefirst item to the first entity, the first data indicating at least oneof the first item or the first entity or the first unmanned aerialdevice. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are describedin the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the presentdisclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems may include virtually any combinationpermissible under 35 U.S.C. §101 of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining first dataindicating that a first unmanned aerial device delivered a first item toa first entity and circuitry for transmitting via a free space mediumthe first data to a provider of the first item as an automatic andconditional response to the first data indicating that the firstunmanned aerial device delivered the first item to the first entity, thefirst data indicating at least one of the first item or the first entityor the first unmanned aerial device. In addition to the foregoing, othersystem aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming apart of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to obtaining first data indicating that afirst unmanned aerial device delivered a first item to a first entityand transmitting via a free space medium the first data to a provider ofthe first item as an automatic and conditional response to the firstdata indicating that the first unmanned aerial device delivered thefirst item to the first entity, the first data indicating at least oneof the first item or the first entity or the first unmanned aerialdevice. In addition to the foregoing, other computer program productaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device configure thecomputing device for obtaining first data indicating that a firstunmanned aerial device delivered a first item to a first entity andtransmitting via a free space medium the first data to a provider of thefirst item as an automatic and conditional response to the first dataindicating that the first unmanned aerial device delivered the firstitem to the first entity, the first data indicating at least one of thefirst item or the first entity or the first unmanned aerial device. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to obtaining first position data from afirst entity, by a second entity, the first entity being a firstunmanned aerial device and signaling a decision whether or not toallocate a first resource to the second entity after the first positiondata passes from the first unmanned aerial device to the second entity,the first resource being associated with the first position data. Inaddition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems may include virtually any combinationpermissible under 35 U.S.C. §101 of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining first positiondata from a first entity, by a second entity, the first entity being afirst unmanned aerial device and circuitry for signaling a decisionwhether or not to allocate a first resource to the second entity afterthe first position data passes from the first unmanned aerial device tothe second entity, the first resource being associated with the firstposition data. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to obtaining first position data from afirst entity, by a second entity, the first entity being a firstunmanned aerial device and signaling a decision whether or not toallocate a first resource to the second entity after the first positiondata passes from the first unmanned aerial device to the second entity,the first resource being associated with the first position data. Inaddition to the foregoing, other computer program product aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device configure thecomputing device for obtaining first position data from a first entity,by a second entity, the first entity being a first unmanned aerialdevice and signaling a decision whether or not to allocate a firstresource to the second entity after the first position data passes fromthe first unmanned aerial device to the second entity, the firstresource being associated with the first position data. In addition tothe foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to causing a first unmanned aerial device toguide a first individual to a first destination and causing the firstunmanned aerial device to fly to a second destination as an automaticand conditional response to an indication of the first individualarriving at the first destination. In addition to the foregoing, othermethod aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming apart of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems may include virtually any combinationpermissible under 35 U.S.C. §101 of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for causing a first unmannedaerial device to guide a first individual to a first destination andcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destination. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to causing a first unmanned aerial deviceto guide a first individual to a first destination and causing the firstunmanned aerial device to fly to a second destination as an automaticand conditional response to an indication of the first individualarriving at the first destination. In addition to the foregoing, othercomputer program product aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device configure thecomputing device for causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide afirst individual to a first destination and causing the first unmannedaerial device to fly to a second destination as an automatic andconditional response to an indication of the first individual arrivingat the first destination. In addition to the foregoing, other systemaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the methodincludes but is not limited to obtaining a tracking mode of a deliverytask of a first unmanned aerial device and signaling a decision whetheror not to omit a record of the first unmanned aerial device completingthe delivery task of the first unmanned aerial device as an automaticand conditional response to the tracking mode of the delivery task ofthe first unmanned aerial device. In addition to the foregoing, othermethod aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming apart of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions ofmatter, or manufactures of systems may include virtually any combinationpermissible under 35 U.S.C. §101 of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining a tracking modeof a delivery task of a first unmanned aerial device and circuitry forsignaling a decision whether or not to omit a record of the firstunmanned aerial device completing the delivery task of the firstunmanned aerial device as an automatic and conditional response to thetracking mode of the delivery task of the first unmanned aerial device.In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides an article of manufacture including a computerprogram product. In one implementation, the article of manufactureincludes but is not limited to a signal-bearing medium configured by oneor more instructions related to obtaining a tracking mode of a deliverytask of a first unmanned aerial device and signaling a decision whetheror not to omit a record of the first unmanned aerial device completingthe delivery task of the first unmanned aerial device as an automaticand conditional response to the tracking mode of the delivery task ofthe first unmanned aerial device. In addition to the foregoing, othercomputer program product aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the systemincludes but is not limited to a computing device and instructions. Theinstructions when executed on the computing device configure thecomputing device for obtaining a tracking mode of a delivery task of afirst unmanned aerial device and signaling a decision whether or not toomit a record of the first unmanned aerial device completing thedelivery task of the first unmanned aerial device as an automatic andconditional response to the tracking mode of the delivery task of thefirst unmanned aerial device. In addition to the foregoing, other systemaspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a partof the present disclosure.

In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system and/orprogram product aspects are set forth and described in the teachingssuch as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawingsof the present disclosure. The foregoing is a summary and thus maycontain simplifications, generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissionsof detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any waylimiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses and/or other subject matter described herein will becomeapparent in the teachings set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a primary unitoperably linked to a network.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a user-accessiblekiosk having several bays in which unmanned aerial devices (UAD's) mayreside.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary environment featuring an interface devicehaving at least one processor.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary environment featuring an event/conditiondetection unit.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a UAD in a vicinity ofa destination.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a UAD and anotherentity (a car or driver, e.g.) communicating about a resource (parkingspace, e.g.).

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary environment featuring three pedestrians inone zone, one pedestrian in another zone, and at least one handheld UAD.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary environment featuring UAD's operably coupledwith a network.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a UAD traveling amongseveral stations.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a device (UAD, e.g.)operably coupled with a network via a communication linkage.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a secondary unit.

FIG. 12 depicts a physical medium residing in one or more of theabove-described environments.

FIG. 13 depicts a chair, keyboard, and desktop in an office into which aUAD may enter.

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary environment featuring an article ofmanufacture.

FIG. 15 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 16 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 17 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 18 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 19 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational processdescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a structuralcomponent of a UAD having at least a releasable mechanical linkage to apackage or other cargo module.

FIGS. 21-22 depict physical media residing in one or more of theabove-described environments.

FIGS. 23-27 each depict intensive and extensive operations that may beperformed in conjunction with one or more high-level logic flows shownin FIGS. 15-19.

FIG. 28 depicts an exemplary environment featuring a camera mounted on abuilding configured to observe a person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/orother technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware,software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will varywith the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or othertechnologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determinesthat speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for amainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibilityis paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

In some implementations described herein, logic and similarimplementations may include software or other control structuressuitable to operation. Electronic circuitry, for example, may manifestone or more paths of electrical current constructed and arranged toimplement various logic functions as described herein. In someimplementations, one or more media are configured to bear adevice-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit aspecial-purpose device instruction set operable to perform as describedherein. In some variants, for example, this may manifest as an update orother modification of existing software or firmware, or of gate arraysor other programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception of ora transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or moreoperations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware,software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose componentsexecuting or otherwise invoking special-purpose components.Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one ormore instances of tangible transmission media as described herein,optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing throughdistributed media at various times.

Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing aspecial-purpose instruction sequence or otherwise invoking circuitry forenabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing oneor more occurrences of any functional operations described below. Insome variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may beexpressed directly as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked asan executable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example, C++or other code sequences can be compiled directly or otherwiseimplemented in high-level descriptor languages (e.g., alogic-synthesizable language, a hardware description language, ahardware design simulation, and/or other such similar mode(s) ofexpression). Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the logicalexpression may be manifested as a Verilog-type hardware description orother circuitry model before physical implementation in hardware,especially for basic operations or timing-critical applications. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimizesuitable transmission or computational elements, material supplies,actuators, or other common structures in light of these teachings.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious embodiments described herein can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systemshaving a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software,firmware, and/or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range ofcomponents that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigidbodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, electro-magneticallyactuated devices, and/or virtually any combination thereof.Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, butis not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with atransducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, a MicroElectro Mechanical System (MEMS), etc.), electrical circuitry having atleast one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory(e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), electrical circuitryforming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch,optical-electrical equipment, etc.), and/or any non-electrical analogthereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art willalso appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include butare not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, medicaldevices, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems,factory automation systems, security systems, and/orcommunication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to asystem that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except ascontext may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will also recognize thatthe various aspects described herein which can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composedof various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein“electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electricalcircuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electricalcircuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitryhaving at least one application specific integrated circuit, electricalcircuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by acomputer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by acomputer program which at least partially carries out processes and/ordevices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computerprogram which at least partially carries out processes and/or devicesdescribed herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g.,forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/orelectrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem,communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those havingskill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described hereinmay be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combinationthereof.

Those skilled in the art will further recognize that at least a portionof the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated intoan image processing system. A typical image processing system maygenerally include one or more of a system unit housing, a video displaydevice, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors suchas microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entitiessuch as operating systems, drivers, applications programs, one or moreinteraction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna,etc.), control systems including feedback loops and control motors(e.g., feedback for sensing lens position and/or velocity; controlmotors for moving/distorting lenses to give desired focuses). An imageprocessing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commerciallyavailable components, such as those typically found in digital stillsystems and/or digital motion systems.

Those skilled in the art will likewise recognize that at least some ofthe devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into adata processing system. Those having skill in the art will recognizethat a data processing system generally includes one or more of a systemunit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile ornon-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors or digitalsignal processors, computational entities such as operating systems,drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one ormore interaction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna,etc.), and/or control systems including feedback loops and controlmotors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; controlmotors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A dataprocessing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commerciallyavailable components, such as those typically found in datacomputing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.

FIG. 1 depicts a context in which one or more technologies may beimplemented. System 1 comprises a primary unit 110 that may comprise oneor more instances of inputs 121; outputs 122; enlistment modules 133,134; coordinate communication modules 136, 137; data acquisition modules138, 139; interface control modules 141, 142; entity identificationmodules 143, 144; name recognition modules 146, 147; tracking controlmodules 148, 149; flight control modules 151, 152; data delivery modules153, 154; resource reservation modules 156, 157; or selective retentionmodules 158, 159 as described in further detail below. In some contexts,primary unit 110 may be operably coupled to one or more networks 190 viaone or more communication linkages 140. Instances of storage or otherdata-handling media 195 operably coupled to one or more such modulesmay, moreover, reside in primary unit 110 or network 190, as describedbelow. As exemplified herein, a “module” may include special-purposehardware, general-purpose hardware configured with special-purposesoftware, or other circuitry configured to perform one or more functionsrecited below. Also in some contexts such “modules” may be configured toestablish or utilize an association (between two devices, e.g.) inresponse to common interactions (a backup from one device to the other,both logging into a password-access account, or sharing the same printeror router or other peripheral, e.g.). Moreover respective embodiments ofprimary unit 110 may implement substantially any combination thereof, asexemplified in protocols described below.

FIG. 2 depicts another context in which one or more technologies may beimplemented. System 2 comprises a kiosk 250 having several bays 288 eachlarge enough to receive a respective unmanned aerial device (UAD) 201,202 and accessible to one or more users 226. In some variants kiosk 250may also include one or more beacons 217 configured to emit an opticalor other wireless homing signal 296 recognizable to one or more UAD's201, 202. The signal 296 is distinctive enough to facilitate UAD's 201,202 finding beacon 217 several meters or more away from kiosk 250.Moreover each of the bays 288 has protruding or recessed electricalcontacts 298 therein to permit each UAD 201, 202 to recharge after it isplaced or lands within the bay.

FIG. 3 depicts another system 3 in which one or more technologies may beimplemented, one in which one or more instances of a name 351, model352, or other identifier 355 refer to and identify interface device 310.In a context in which interface device 310 comprises a minivan or otherpassenger vehicle, for example, such identifier(s) 355 may comprise aplate number 353 of the vehicle. As explained below, interface device310 may further include one or more instances (implemented inspecial-purpose circuitry or software executable by one or moreprocessors 365, e.g.) of modes 361, 362, 363; requests 373; invitations374; reservations 376; confirmations 381, 382; touchscreens or otherlocal interfaces 390 (comprising one or more inputs 391 or outputs 392physically accessible to or observable by a user at interface device310, e.g.); acceptances 393, 394; memories 395; or instructions 397.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for conducting a context-specific structured dialog or otheruser interaction without undue experimentation or for configuring otherdecisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.8,024,329 (“Using inverted indexes for contextual personalizedinformation retrieval”); U.S. Pat. No. 7970735 (“Cross varying dimensionsupport for analysis services engine”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,920,678(“Personal virtual assistant”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,870,117 (“Constructing asearch query to execute a contextual personalized search of a knowledgebase”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,761,480 (“Information access using ontologies”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,051 (“Methods, systems, and user interface fore-mail search and retrieval”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,593,982 (“Method, system,and computer program product for saving a search result within a globalcomputer network”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,363,246 (“System and method forenhancing buyer and seller interaction during a group-buying sale”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,177,948 (“Method and apparatus for enhancing onlinesearching sale”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,798,867 (“System and method for thecreation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic andinteractive voice services, with real-time database queries”); U.S. Pub.No. 2011/0081053 (“Methods and systems for occlusion tolerant facerecognition”); U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0159622 (“Target object recognition inimages and video”).

Referring again to FIG. 1, network 190 may serve as a context forintroducing one or more processes, systems or other articles describedbelow. In some instances network 190 may include one or more searchengines, satellites, servers, processors, routers, or other devices. Insome contexts, one or more interface devices owned or operated by user226 may interact through network 190 (e.g. with one or more otherinterface devices or networks as described herein). One or more suchassociated interface devices 310 may be mobile devices, in somecontexts, or may function in cooperation (as a network subsystem, e.g.)even when remote from one another. Alternatively or additionally, one ormore other interface devices owned or operated by user 226 may likewiseinteract locally or remotely with or through one another or otherinterface devices (through network 190, e.g.).

In some contexts, such interface devices (of FIG. 2, e.g.) may includeor otherwise communicate with one or more instances of primary unit 110and may include one or more instances of data outputs or otherimplementations of machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions ofmatter that include circuitry or other logic as described below. In somecontexts, such implementations may be held or transmitted by conduits,storage devices, memories, other holding devices, or other circuitry forhandling data or software (in a satellite, server, or router, e.g.) asdescribed herein. In various embodiments, one or more instances ofimplementation components or implementation output data may each beexpressed within any aspect or combination of software, firmware, orhardware as signals, data, designs, logic, instructions, or other suchspecial-purpose expression or implementation. Interface devices (such asthat of FIG. 2, e.g.) may likewise include one or more instances oflenses, transmitters, receivers, integrated circuits, antennas, outputdevices, reflectors, or input devices for handling data or communicatingwith local users or via linkage 140, for example.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that some list items may alsofunction as other list items. In the above-listed types of media, forexample, some instances of interface devices may include conduits or mayalso function as storage devices that are also holding devices. One ormore transmitters may likewise include input devices or bidirectionaluser interfaces, in many implementations of interface devices 310. Eachsuch listed term should not be narrowed by any implication from otherterms in the same list but should instead be understood in its broadestreasonable interpretation as understood by those skilled in the art.

“Apparent,” “automatic,” “selective,” “conditional,” “indicative,”“normal,” “represented,” “related,” “partly,” “responsive,” “distilled,”“local,” “in a vicinity,” “remote,” “wireless,” “periodic,” “free,”“aerial,” “associated,” “primary,” “met,” “passive,” “implemented,”“executable,” “particular,” “specific,” “human,” “performed,” “mobile,”“of,” “prior,” “activated,” “future,” “light,” “contemporaneous,”“portable,” “toward,” or other such descriptors herein are used in theirnormal yes-or-no sense, not as terms of degree, unless context dictatesotherwise. In light of the present disclosure those skilled in the artwill understand from context what is meant by “vicinity,” by being “in”or “at” a detection region, by “remote,” and by other such positionaldescriptors used herein. “For” is not used to articulate a mere intendedpurpose in phrases like “circuitry for” or “instruction for,” moreover,but is used normally, in descriptively identifying special purposecircuitry or code.

Some descriptions herein refer to a “distillation” of data. Suchdistillations can include an average, estimate, range, or othercomputation at least partly distilling a set of data. They can likewiseinclude an indexing, sorting, summarization, distributed sampling, orother process having a purpose or effect of showing some aspect of thedata more concisely or effectively than a conventional display orarchiving of the entire data. Selecting a last portion of a data set canconstitute a distillation, for example, in a context in which the data'sutility apparently increases (medians or other cumulative computations,e.g.). Removing duplicative data or indexing available data are usefulways of “distilling” data so that it becomes manageable even whileretaining some of its meaning. Those skilled in the art will recognizemany useful modes of distilling data in light of the state of the artand of teachings herein.

In some embodiments, “signaling” something can include identifying,contacting, requesting, selecting, or indicating the thing. In somecases a signaled thing is susceptible to fewer than all of theseaspects, of course, such as a task definition that cannot be“contacted.”

In some embodiments, “status indicative” data can reflect a trend orother time-dependent phenomenon (indicating some aspect of an entity'scondition, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, a status indicativedata set can include portions that have no bearing upon such status.Although some types of distillations can require authority orsubstantial expertise (e.g. making a final decision upon a riskyprocedure or other course of action), many other types of distillationscan readily be implemented without undue experimentation in light ofteachings herein.

In some embodiments, one or more applicable “criteria” can includemaxima or other comparison values applied to durations, counts, lengths,widths, frequencies, signal magnitudes or phases, digital values, orother aspects of data characterization. In some contexts, such criteriacan be applied by determining when or how often a recognizable patterncan be found: a text string, a quantity, a sound, an arrhythmia, avisible dilation, a failure to respond, a non-change, an allergicresponse, a symptom relating to an apparent condition of the user, orthe like.

In some embodiments, “causing” events can include triggering, producingor otherwise directly or indirectly bringing the events to pass. Thiscan include causing the events remotely, concurrently, partially, orotherwise as a “cause in fact,” whether or not a more immediate causealso exists.

Some descriptions herein refer to an “indication whether” an event hasoccurred. An indication is “positive” if it indicates that the event hasoccurred, irrespective of its numerical sign or lack thereof. Whetherpositive or negative, such indications may be weak (i.e. slightlyprobative), definitive, or many levels in between. In some cases the“indication” may include a portion that is indeterminate, such as anirrelevant portion of a useful photograph.

FIG. 4 depicts another system 4 in which one or more technologies may beimplemented. Event/condition detection unit 400 comprisesspecial-purpose circuitry implemented as one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) 409 or other suchdata-handling media 410. Event/condition detection unit 400 may, in somevariants, include one or more instances of data 411, 412, 413;hard-wired or other special-purpose protocols 417, 418; triggers 421,422, 423; decisions 434, 435; microphones 441 or other receivers 442;identifiers 444; proximity sensors 449; wireless signal processingmodules 450 (operable to handle one or more signals 451, 452, 453, 434transmitted or received via antenna 455, e.g.); thresholds 458, 459;configurations 471, 472; commands 481, 482, 483, 484, 485; or tasks 491,492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499 (implemented in special-purposecircuitry or software executable by one or more processors 365, e.g.).In some variants, such commands 481-485 or tasks 491-499 may be received(from user 226, e.g.) via a microphone 441 and a speech recognitionmodule 446, 447 or other such configurations of inputs 391. (In someembodiments, a “module” as described herein may include one or more ofspecial-purpose circuitry or special-purpose device-executable code:code by which a processor 365 that is executing the code, for example,becomes a special-purpose machine.)

FIG. 5 depicts another system 5 in which one or more technologies may beimplemented. An unmanned aerial device (UAD) 501 may travel among asender 510 (of cargo to be delivered, e.g.), a station 520, and adestination 530 (of the cargo, e.g.) along travel paths 581, 582, 583through the air 585 as shown. One or more media 195, 410 aboard UAD 501may contain one or more identifiers 541 of cargo, identifiers 542 ofdestination 530, or identifiers 543 of the UAD 501 tasked with delivery.Such media may likewise contain other indicia of various planned orcompleted delivery tasks 491-499, such as a photograph 553 of an item ofcargo (envelope 551, e.g.) having been delivered to a delivery site 552(at destination 530, e.g.); a photograph 554 of a part of a recipient555 or of an item of cargo (syringe 556, e.g.) being delivered to adestination (recipient 555, e.g.); addresses (of sender 510, station520, or destination 530, e.g.); audio clips 563 (of recipient 555refusing or accepting delivery, e.g.); or biometrics 564 (of sender 510or recipient 555, e.g.). In some implementations, moreover, UAD 501 mayimplement or interact with one or more instances of interfaces 390(having one or more buttons 561 thereon as inputs 391, e.g.) asdescribed below.

With reference now to FIG. 15, shown is a high-level logic flow 15 of anoperational process. Intensive operation 53 describes obtaining firstdata indicating that a first unmanned aerial device delivered a firstitem to a first entity (e.g. data acquisition module 138 receiving oneor more addresses 562 or photographs 553 as data 411 indicating that oneor more UAD's 501 delivered an envelope 551, signature document, orother article to a placement site 552 or other destination 530). Thiscan occur, for example, in a context in which UAD 501 implements orinteracts with primary unit 110, UAD 201, and event/condition detectionunit 400 as described above. Alternatively or additionally, data 412 mayinclude a biometric 564 (fingerprint, e.g.) or other manifestation of arecipient 555 receiving a medication (in a syringe 556 or capsule, e.g.)or other delivered material as described herein. Either such “first”data 411, 412 may likewise include one or more of an identifier 541 ofthe “first” item (envelope 551 or syringe 556, e.g.), an identifier 542of the “first” entity (site 552 or recipient 555, e.g.), an identifier543 (serial number or alias, e.g.) of the “first” UAD 201, 501 or othersuch indications signifying a successful delivery.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for dispatching a vehicle for making deliveries without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,140,592 (“Deliveryoperations information system with route adjustment feature and methodsof use”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,041,649 (“Methods and systems forpostcode-to-postcode delivery interval and routing calculation”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,947,916 (“Mail sorter system and method for moving trays ofmail to dispatch in delivery order”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,868,264 (“Systemand process for reducing number of stops on delivery route byidentification of standard class mail”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,739,202(“Computer system for routing package deliveries”); U.S. Pat. No.7,647,875 (“Seed hopper and routing structure for varying materialdelivery to row units”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,801,139 (“Method and system fordelivering a time-efficient mobile vehicle route that encompassesmultiple limited-duration events”).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for data acquisition (relating to a delivery, e.g.) withoutundue experimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,111,819 (“Message serverand method for notification of a user about the delivery of anelectronic message”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,642 (“Visual indicator for anaerosol medication delivery apparatus and system”); U.S. Pat. No.7,984,100 (“Email system automatically notifying sender status androuting information during delivery”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,229 (“Drugdelivery pen with event notification means”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,456(“Mail delivery indicator system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,081 (“System andmethod for continuous delivery schedule including automated customernotification”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,109 (“Parcel delivery notice”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,859,722 (“Notification systems and methods with notificationsbased upon prior package delivery”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,585 (“Systemand method for notification upon successful message delivery”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,356,196 (“Verified receipt, notification, and theftdeterrence of courier-delivered parcels”).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for detecting and responding automatically to position data,optical data, auditory data, or other indications of a delivery withoutundue experimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,131,652 (“Residentialdelivery indicator”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,456 (“Mail delivery indicatorsystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,483,721 (“Communication device providingdiverse audio signals to indicate receipt of a call or message”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,346,662 (“Methods, systems, and products for indicatingreceipt of electronic mail”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,013,350 (“System settingflags based on address types in destination address field of a messageto indicate different transports to deliver the message”); U.S. Pat. No.7,006,013 (“System and method for visually indicating receipt of a radiocommunication directed to a uniquely identified vehicle”).

In some embodiments described herein, a response (generating a decision,e.g.) to a stimulus is “conditional” if the stimulus can take on eithera first possible value or a second possible value (or perhaps others)and in which the content (yes or no, e.g.) or occurrence of the responsedepends upon which of the possible stimuli are manifested. Likewise aresponse is “automatic” if it can occur (for at least one possiblestimulus set, e.g.) without any human interaction.

Referring again to FIG. 15, extensive operation 84 describestransmitting via a free space medium the first data to a provider of thefirst item as an automatic and conditional response to the first dataindicating that the first unmanned aerial device delivered the firstitem to the first entity, the first data indicating at least one of thefirst item or the first entity or the first unmanned aerial device (e.g.data delivery module 153 transmitting a wireless signal 454 (radiofrequency, e.g.) containing data 411, 412 indicating a delivery of thefirst item to the sender 510 of the first item). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which data delivery module 153 receives suchfirst data from data acquisition module 138; in which the first itemcomprises an envelope 551, syringe 556, material, or other such articlesphysically delivered by one or more UAD's 201, 501 to destination 530;in which such a UAD includes a data delivery module 153 configured totransmit such first data via a wireless signal path 581 (through air 585or water vapor, e.g.); and in which sender 510 would otherwise beunwilling to entrust the item to be transferred via UAD 501.Alternatively or additionally, such a data delivery module 153 may beconfigured to transmit such first data indirectly (via a wireless signalpath 583 through air 585 and through a station 520 that relays signal454 to sender 510, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, station 520 mayinclude (an instance of) a data delivery module 153 configured toperform operation 84 by transmitting some or all such data 411, 412wirelessly via path 582 as an automatic and conditional response to asuitable trigger 421. In respective embodiments, for example, a primaryunit 110 may be configured to perform flow 15 such that trigger 421comprises any of (1) UAD 501 delivering the first item to destination530; (2) UAD 501 arriving at station 520 after having delivered thefirst item to destination 530; or (3) data delivery module 153 receivingan indication that UAD 201 delivered the first item to destination 530.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for deciding whether or not to route data through a free spacemedium without undue experimentation or for configuring other decisionsand devices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,175,025(“Wireless communication apparatus for selecting suitable transfer routeon wireless network”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,099,060 (“Wireless/wired mobilecommunication device with option to automatically block wirelesscommunication when connected for wired communication”); U.S. Pat. No.8,090,132 (“Wireless communication headset with wired and wirelessmodes”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,081,967 (“Method to manage medium access for amixed wireless network”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,040,864 (“Map indicatingquality of service for delivery of video data to wireless device”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,899,027 (“Automatic route configuration in hierarchicalwireless mesh networks”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,869,444 (“Mixed wireless andcabled data acquisition network”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,865,186 (“Method foroperating wired and wireless phone services interconnectively”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,315,548 (“Method and apparatus for determining a routebetween a source node and a destination node in a wireless multihoppingcommunication network”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,085 (“System and method forroute optimization in a wireless internet protocol network”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,058,312 (“Automatic selecting apparatus for an optimum wirelesscommunication route”).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for mobile data delivery (deciding when to transmit data fromor via a mobile device, e.g.) without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,200,223 (“Base station and data transfer method fortransferring data when a mobile station performs a handover”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,865,212 (“Methods and apparatus for use in transferring user databetween two different mobile communication devices using a removablememory card”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,359,346 (“Apparatus for controlling datatransmission/reception between main system and remote system of BTS inmobile communication system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,075 (“Interactivegenerating query related to telestrator data designating at least aportion of the still image frame and data identifying a user isgenerated from the user designating a selected region on the displayscreen, transmitting the query to the remote information system”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,107,064 (“Mobile communication device and method fordetermining whether to transmit position data”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,037(“Method and apparatus for dynamic information transfer from a mobiletarget to a fixed target that tracks their relative movement andsynchronizes data between them”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,177 (“Control ofdata transmission between a remote monitoring unit and a central unit”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,038 (“Apparatus, method, and computer programproduct for establishing a remote data link with a vehicle with minimaldata transmission delay”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,101 (“Method ofsubscriber data control in a mobile communication network wheresubscriber data is transferred from a home mobile switching center to adestination mobile switching center”).

FIG. 6 depicts another system 6 in which one or more technologies may beimplemented, one involving a passenger vehicle (car 602, e.g.) withwheels 683, pontoons, or other such support structures configured tofacilitate transportation. As shown, car 602 is configured to bear atleast one person (user 626, e.g.) and to include a user interface 660(navigation system, e.g.). In a context in which such a passengervehicle approaches an entrance 641 of a parking lot, UAD 601 may beconfigured (in association with the vehicle or with a zone comprisingthe parking lot, e.g.) to transmit to the vehicle information ofinterest. Such information can include coordinates 605, 606 (indicatingan open parking space 648 or other location of interest, e.g.) or otherpositional information (indicating a recommended path 643 or waypoint642 thereof, e.g.) transmitted via a wireless communication linkage 694.

With reference now to FIG. 16, shown is a high-level logic flow 16 of anoperational process. Intensive operation 51 describes obtaining firstposition data from a first entity, by a second entity, the first entitybeing a first unmanned aerial device (e.g. a coordinate communicationmodule 136 resident in car 602 receiving two or more coordinates 605from UAD 601 indicating the position of UAD 601). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which UAD 601 implements one or more UAD's 201,501 as described above; in which an instance of primary unit 110 isresident in one or both of the “first” and “second” entities; in whichthe “second” entity (car 602 or user 626, e.g.) has arrived at anentrance 641 of a crowded parking lot; in which UAD 601 has found andoccupied a vacant parking space 648; and in which UAD 601 transmits itslocation (to a user interface 660 of the “second” entity, e.g.) via awireless linkage 694 to assist a device or user (in finding andoccupying the parking space 648, e.g.). In some contexts, the first UAD601 may include an interface control module 141 configured to transmitturn-by-turn instructions, coordinates 605, or other such guidance, forexample. See FIG. 17. Such guidance can, for example, lead a “second”device (UAD 202 or car 602, e.g.) or user 226, 626 thereof to a pickupor delivery site 552, an article or other material there, a person in acrowd, or other such resources and destinations having locations knownto primary unit 110.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for coordinate communication (acquiring, transmitting,receiving, or using altitude or other positional coordinates, e.g.)without undue experimentation or for configuring other decisions anddevices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,107,608 (“Systemand method for providing routing, mapping, and relative positioninformation to users of a communication network”); U.S. Pat. No.8,041,453 (“Method and apparatus for defining and utilizing productlocation in a vending machine”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,058 (“Trackinglocation and usage of a mechanical sub assembly (MSA) within anautomated storage library utilizing a unique identifier associated withlocation coordinates of the MSA”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,315 (“Apparatusand method for providing product location information to customers in astore”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,705,714 (“Wheel position detecting device thatperforms dedicated local communication for each wheel and tire airpressure detecting device including the same”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,555,386(“System and method for sharing position information using mobilecommunication system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,317 (“Signs for display ofstore item location systems”).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for locating particular individuals or other mobile targetswithout undue experimentation or for configuring other decisions anddevices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,200,247(“Confirming a venue of user location”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,106,746(“Method, apparatus, and system for selecting and locating objectshaving radio frequency identification (RFID) tags”); U.S. Pat. No.8,064,647 (“System for iris detection tracking and recognition at adistance”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,032,153 (“Multiple location estimators forwireless location”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,925,093 (“Image recognitionapparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,893,848 (“Apparatus and method forlocating, identifying and tracking vehicles in a parking area”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,876,215 (“System and method for locating and notifying amobile user of people having attributes or interests matching a statedpreference”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,656,292 (“Flexible anti-theft pack fortracking and location”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,171 (“Learning, storing,analyzing, and reasoning about the loss of location-identifyingsignals”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,092,566 (“Object recognition system andprocess for identifying people and objects in an image of a scene”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,015 (“System and method for customer recognitionusing wireless identification and visual data transmission”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,219,639 (“Method and apparatus for recognizing identity ofindividuals employing synchronized biometrics”).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for locating specific resources without undue experimentationor for configuring other decisions and devices as described herein. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,194,975 (“Use of an intrinsic image in facerecognition”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,659,835 (“Method and apparatus forrecognizing parking slot by using bird's eye view and parking assistsystem using the same”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,394 (“Method andarrangement for recognizing objects in mail item images, their positionand reading their postal information”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,033 (“Itemrecognition method and apparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,373,982 (“Processand equipment for recognition of a pattern on an item presented”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,313,745 (“System and method for fitting room merchandise itemrecognition using wireless tag”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,916 (“Method andapparatus for recognizing stationary objects with a moving side-lookingradar”).

Referring again to FIG. 16, extensive operation 83 describes signaling adecision whether or not to allocate a first resource to the secondentity after the first position data passes from the first unmannedaerial device to the second entity, the first resource being associatedwith the first position data (e.g. resource reservation module 156confirming a reservation 376 of parking space 648 after coordinates 605thereof arrive at user interface 660). This can occur, for example, in acontext in which parking space 648 is the “first” resource; in which the“second” entity is identified as the driver (by name 351, e.g.) or asthe car (by model 352 or license plate number 353, e.g.); in which UAD601 and user interface 660 each contain an instance of primary unit 110;in which UAD 601 receives and announces one or more such identifiers(via a speaker, projector, or other output 122 of UAD 601, e.g.) topassersby; in which user 626 enters the decision by indicating whetheror not to associate the “first” resource with an identifier 355 of thesecond entity via input 121 of user interface 660; and in which user 626would otherwise be unable to reserve the resource before happeningacross it. In other applications of flow 16, such “first” resources mayinclude a cashier or other living entity; a public table or other space;a power or network connection; an item for sale or other object; orother such resources that a device can deem available for allocationunder conditions as described herein. Moreover such “second” entitiesmay include UAD's or other devices or people as described herein(identified by entity identification module 143, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for entity identification (associating a specific identifierwith a device, user, group, or other entity, e.g.) without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,176,156 (“Serveridentification assignment in a distributed switched storageenvironment”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,025 (“Assigning documentidentification tags”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,970,426 (“Method of assigningprovisional identification to a subscriber unit and group”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,877,515 (“Identity assignment for software components”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,495,576 (“Modular electronic sign and method of assigning a uniqueidentifier to common modules of said sign”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,174(“Method for generating and assigning identifying tags to sound files”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,761 (“System for assigning digital identifiers totelephone numbers and IP numbers”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,182 (“Fabricsystem and method for assigning identifier for fabric apparatustherefor”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,227 (“Downhole activation system thatassigns and retrieves identifiers”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,970 (“Method ofassigning a device identification”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,738(“Transmission-equipment and method for assigning transmission-equipmentidentification number in transmission system”).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for resource reservation (associating an entity identifierwith a living or other resource, e.g.) without undue experimentation orfor configuring other decisions and devices as described herein. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,166,484 (“System for confirming and cancellingtentative resource reservation within the valid time indicates periodduring which the tentative reservation request is valid”); U.S. Pat. No.8,160,906 (“System and method for improved rental vehicle reservationmanagement”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,150,403 (“Reservation of mobile stationcommunication resources”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,117,051 (“Method fordetermining the number of available transport seats in a computerizedreservation system”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,065,287 (“Method and system forsearching availability of an entity for purchase or reservation”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,956,769 (“Method and system for reservation-based parking”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,818,190 (“Camping reservation system, method andprogram”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,783,530 (“Parking reservation systems andrelated methods”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,783,506 (“System and method formanaging reservation requests for one or more inventory items”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,693,779 (“Method and system for requesting a reservation fora set of equity instruments to be offered”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,634,426(“Golf reservation system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,548,866 (“Individual seatselection ticketing and reservation system”).

FIG. 7 depicts another system 7 in which one or more technologies may beimplemented, depicting a view from above of several people 725, 726, 727near a zone boundary 789 dividing two zones 781, 782 (areas of land,e.g.). Person 726 is shown carrying an unmanned aerial device 701containing itineraries 761, 762 (in a memory 395 or other medium 195thereof, e.g.) in one or more contexts further described below. In onecontext, person 726 is walking, and UAD 701 is traveling, toward aperson 725 or device 775 that is currently a distance 788 away. Inanother, the destination 530 is defined as a vicinity 785 (a detectionrange of a proximity sensor 449, e.g.) of such a device 775. In anothercontext, UAD 701 is guiding person 726 generally along a static ordynamic path 743 comprising a waypoint 742. In yet another context, asubject (person 727, e.g.) has one or more attributes (clothing 728 orvoice or face or other biometric 564, e.g.) susceptible of automaticrecognition by one or more stationary event/condition detection units400 or other recognition modules (aboard a UAD 701 or other portabledevice 775, e.g.). See FIG. 14.

With reference now to FIG. 17, shown is a high-level logic flow 17 of anoperational process. Intensive operation 52 describes causing a firstunmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination (e.g. interface control module 141 causing a display,speaker, or other output 392 of unmanned aerial device 701 to providenavigational instruction 397 effective for guiding person 726 accordingto a first itinerary 761). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich the first destination is a vicinity 785 of a person 725 or of aportable device 775; in which the first destination is also anon-stationary component of the first itinerary 761 (indicating such aperson 725, device 775, or other destination, e.g.); in which person 726is the “first” individual, who may be traveling through a zone 782 inwhich conventional GPS navigation devices cannot be used; and in whichperson 726 would otherwise have to find the “first” destination withoutany device assistance. On a cruise ship or tightly managed facility inwhich an owner (of zone 782, e.g.) does not provide a public wirelessconnectivity (cell tower access, e.g.) or in which individuals are notpermitted to bring their own wireless devices onsite, for example, theowner may lend such UAD's 701 to visitors for authorized uses (finding astationary or other destination 530 within or across a controlled zone782, e.g.). Alternatively, in some variants, a flight control module 151may perform operation 52 by flying ahead of the first individual (user626, e.g.) slow enough to be followed. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which itinerary 761 defines the first destination (parkingspace 648, e.g.) and in which flight control module 151 is configured torespond to a microphone, accelerometer, camera, or other input 391 of a“first” UAD signaling such flying guidance. For example, flight controlmodule 151 may be configured to cause the first UAD to maintain asuitable lead distance (on the order of 1-3 meters, e.g.) of the firstindividual in some contexts, landing or otherwise slowing down asnecessary if the individual follows slowly, moving laterally or backwardif the individual moves orthogonally to or opposite to the first UAD'scurrent or next direction of travel, giving up (and returning to a kiosk250 or other “home” station, e.g.) if the individual stops following fora period of time exceeding a threshold (on the order of 1 or 60 seconds,e.g.).

Alternatively or additionally, an instance of flight control module 151aboard UAD 701 may be configured (by including a microphone 441operatively coupled to a speech recognition module 446, e.g.) torecognize and conditionally follow one or more commands given by thefirst person (“stay with me” or “fly away” e.g.). In some variants, forexample, such a command 482 of “stay with me” can conditionally cause anoverride or modification of a default configuration of flight controlmodule 151 so that flight control module 152 is temporarily disabled orso that itinerary 762 is suspended until after speech recognition module446 detects and signals the “fly away” command 483 (to one or moreflight control modules 151, 152, e.g.). This can occur, for example, ina context in which the latter event defines an alternative trigger 422causing the first UAD to fly to a “home” station (or a “second”destination, e.g.) defined by itinerary 762 under the control of flightcontrol module 152.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for interface control (remotely or locally controlling how aninterface handles user input or output, e.g.) without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,201,143 (“Dynamic mating ofa modified user interface with pre-modified user interface codelibrary”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,198,568 (“Input sensitive user interface”);U.S. Pat. No. 8,185,483 (“System for design and use of decisionmodels”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,184,070 (“Method and system for selecting auser interface for a wearable computing device”); U.S. Pat. No.8,181,119 (“User interface with inline customization”); U.S. Pat. No.8,171,460 (“System and method for user interface automation”); U.S. Pat.No. 8,171,394 (“Methods and systems for providing a customized userinterface for viewing and editing meta-data”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,165,567(“Method and system for customizing user interface by editing multimediacontent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,151,201 (“User interface manager and methodfor reacting to a change in system status”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,127,233(“Remote user interface updates using difference and motion encoding”);U.S. Pat. No. 8,122,365 (“System and method for dynamic creation andcustomization of a user interface in a web service environment”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,908,221 (“System providing methods for dynamic customizationand personalization of user interface”).

Referring again to FIG. 17, extensive operation 85 describes causing thefirst unmanned aerial device to fly to a second destination as anautomatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination (e.g. flight control module152 causing a “first” UAD 701 to fly to a kiosk 250 or other station 520as an implementation of an itinerary 762 triggered by the first UADarriving at the first destination). This can occur, for example, in acontext in which the first UAD implements one or more primary units 110or interface devices 310; in which the “second” destination comprisesthe kiosk 250 or other station 520; in which a proximity sensor 449 orother such input 121 (operatively coupled to a flight control module 152of device 775, e.g.) detects that UAD 701 is in a vicinity 785 of device775 (as the indication of the first individual arriving at the firstdestination, e.g.); and in which person 726 would otherwise have toinstruct UAD 701 what to do after arriving. In some variants, forexample, such an input 121 may include a wireless signal processingmodule 450 configured to transmit a first wireless signal 451 andreceive a second wireless signal 452 (echo, e.g.) responsive thereto,the wireless signals 451, 452 jointly manifesting a delay indicative ofa distance 788 between the devices so that a signal 453 derivedtherefrom indicates the first UAD arriving “at” the first destination asthe derived signal 453 crossing a threshold 458, the flight controlmodule 152 being operatively coupled to wireless signal processingmodule 450 and responsive to such crossing. Alternatively oradditionally, network 190 may include an event/condition detection unit400 implemented in UAD 701. In some variants, moreover, one or moreadditional flight control modules 152 may be configured to perform oneor more variants of operation 85 (causing the 1st UAD to fly to a 3nddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the 2nd destination or to some otherindication of the first UAD arriving at the 2nd destination, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for flight control (using one or more remote or on-boardcontrollers to cause an aerial device to implement a user-specified orautonomously selected route or itinerary, e.g.) without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,589 (“UAV decision andcontrol system”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,366 (“Automatic kite flightcontrol system”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,941 (“Aircraft flight control”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,962,252 (“Self-contained avionics sensing and flightcontrol system for small unmanned aerial vehicle”); U.S. Pat. No.7,502,684 (“Method and system for the automatic piloting of an aircrafton the approach to an airdrop position”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,243(“Guidance and control for an autonomous soaring UAV”); U.S. Pat. No.7,130,741 (“Navigating a UAV with a remote control device”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,926,233 (“Automatic formation flight control system (AFFCS)—asystem for automatic formation flight control of vehicles not limited toaircraft, helicopters, or space platforms”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,856,894(“Navigating a UAV under remote control and manual control with threedimensional flight depiction”); U.S. Pat. No. 6847856 (“Method fordetermining juxtaposition of physical components with use of RFIDtags”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,600 (“Automatic pilot system for modelaircraft”).

Another system 8 in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 8, depicting a view of several unmanned aerial devices(UAD's) 801, 802, 803 configured to communicate with a control unit 860on a network 890. Task definition module 870 (residing in control unit860, e.g.) may include one or more aliases 871 in a role list 875(identifying one or more unmet needs of a task 491-499, e.g.) and one ormore aliases (“Hulk,” e.g.) in a participant list 885 or other met needslist 880 of the task or job. UAD 801 comprises a name recognition module810 configured to recognized a primary identifier 811 of UAD 801. UAD802 comprises a name recognition module 820 configured to recognized aprimary identifier 821 of UAD 802 as well as one or more aliases 822,823 of UAD 802. (In some embodiments, one or more aliases or otheridentifiers “of” a device may also refer to a specific circuit orvirtual entity at least partly aboard the device.)

With reference now to FIG. 18, shown is a high-level logic flow 18 of anoperational process. Intensive operation 54 describes indicating a firstunmanned aerial device participating in a first task (e.g. enlistmentmodule 133 generating a confirmation 381 that UAD 801 will participatein a delivery task 491 being coordinated by control unit 860). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which one or more networks 190, 890comprise interface device 310; in which control unit 860 and UAD's 801,802, 803 may each contain (a respective instance of) primary unit 110,each optionally including event/condition detection unit 400; in which(an instance of) enlistment module 133 resides in control unit 840 andtransmits an invitation 374 to UAD 801 to participate in one or moretasks 491-499; and in which UAD 801 transmits a timely acceptance 393 ofthe invitation 374. Alternatively or additionally, one or moreenlistment modules 134 (resident in UAD 801, e.g.) may be configured toidentify tasks 491, 492 suitable for UAD 801 to participate in and maytransmit one or more requests 373 for such participation (to controlunit 860, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in which enlistment module133 is configured to perform an instance of operation 54 by transmittingan acceptance 394 of request 373. In some contexts, such requests 373and invitations 374 (in an instance of network 190 that includes severalUAD's 801, 802, 803 as described above, e.g.) may include a temporalthreshold 459 expressing a deadline at or before which the request orinvitation recipient must respond (as an expiration time of the requestor invitation after which no acceptance of such request 373 orinvitation 374 would be valid, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, inthe absence of such expression, one or more enlistment modules 133, 134may be configured to apply a default deadline (within 1-2 orders ofmagnitude of a millisecond or a second after such transmission, e.g.),after which such recruitment subtask may be deemed unsuccessful.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for device enlistment (enabling or otherwise causing one ormore available devices to participate in one or more suitable tasks,e.g.) without undue experimentation or for configuring other decisionsand devices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,151,272(“Optimized usage of collector resources for performance data collectionthrough even task assignment”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,128,484 (“Game systemgenerating second game according to game result of a device and allowingother devices to participate in second game thus generated”); U.S. Pat.No. 8,051,764 (“Fluid control system having selective recruitableactuators”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,948,447 (“Mobile display”); U.S. Pat. No.7,864,702 (“Control and recruitment of client peripherals fromserver-side software”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,406,515 (“System and method forautomated and customizable agent availability and task assignmentmanagement”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,472 (“System allowing data inputdevice to request management server to assign a data input job toitself”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,820 (“Device control using job ticketscoring”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,581 (“System and method for rapidrecruitment of widely distributed easily operated automatic externaldefibrillators”).

Referring again to FIG. 18, extensive operation 82 describes signaling adecision whether or not to cause the first unmanned aerial device torecognize an alias identifying the first unmanned aerial device as anautomatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstunmanned aerial device participating in the first task, the alias beingdifferent than a primary digital identifier of the first unmanned aerialdevice (e.g. control unit 860 transmitting a command 481 that configuresname recognition module 810 to respond to an alias 871 of “Aunt” as anautomatic and conditional response to control unit 860 receiving anacceptance or confirmation 381 indicating that UAD 801 will participatein delivery task 491). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich “Aunt” is not a primary identifier 811 (serial number or InternetProtocol address, e.g.) that UAD 801 ordinarily responds to and in whichname recognition module 810 was previously configured not to respond to“Aunt”; in which a name recognition module 820 of UAD 802 responds to analias 822 of “Hulk” pursuant to the same delivery task 491; in which aprimary identifier 821 of UAD 802 is neither “Hulk” nor “Aunt”; in whichenlistment module 133 also causes alias 871 to be transferred into aparticipant list 885 of the delivery task 491 (in a met needs list 880thereof, e.g.) that grows with each successful recruitment; and in whichthe primary digital identifier would otherwise have to be usedthroughout the task in addressing UAD 801. Alternatively oradditionally, a primary unit 110 (residing in station 520, e.g.)remotely controlling UAD 801 may include a name recognition module 146configured to perform operation 84 (pursuant to a successful recruitmentas described above, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for name recognition (determining whether an incoming signalis addressing an entity by comparing a component of the incoming signalagainst one or more names of the entity, e.g.) without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,135,764 (“Configurationmanagement server, name recognition method and name recognitionprogram”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,865,356 (“Method and apparatus for providingproper or partial proper name recognition”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,822,988(“Method and system for identity recognition”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,792,837(“Entity name recognition”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,078 (“Determining aremote device name”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,682 (“Method of and apparatusfor recognizing and labeling instances of name classes in textualenvironments”).

Another system 9 in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 9, depicting UAD 901 (comprising primary unit 110, e.g.)operably connected with one or more networks 190 (comprising network990, e.g.) via a wireless communication linkage 994. Network 990includes (a memory 395 or other data handling medium 195 containing) oneor more records 961, 962, 963, 964, some of which may (optionally)include digitally represented delivery tasks 980 or other tasks 491-499,each of which may (optionally) comprise one or more instances of taskdescriptions 981 or tracking modes 982 as shown. UAD 901 may(optionally) include one or more instances of tracking control modules977; record generation modules 978, or record omission modules 979. Insome contexts, UAD 901 (implementing UAD 501, e.g.) may be configured tofly (along respective paths 581, 582, 583, e.g.) among two or morestations 930, 940, 950 (e.g. on respective buildings 935, 945, 955),some or all of which may be observable by a stationary or pivotablecamera 936 (in a configuration like systems 3-8 described above, e.g.).

With reference now to FIG. 19, shown is a high-level logic flow 19 of anoperational process. Intensive operation 55 describes obtaining atracking mode of a delivery task of a first unmanned aerial device (e.g.tracking control module 977 receiving a tracking mode 982 of zeropertaining to a delivery task 980 that has been assigned to UAD 901).This can occur, for example, in a context in which a task description981 of delivery task 980 indicates a physical delivery of a “first” item(envelope 551, e.g.) to station 940; in which UAD 901 implements aprimary unit 110 that includes data acquisition module 138; in which oneor more just-completed task 493 involved UAD 901 visiting station 950;in which a tracking mode 982 of zero corresponds to a delivery protocol417 by which the specific item is delivered in lieu of operation 53(without notifying a provider of an item delivered, e.g.); and in whichtracking control module 977 would otherwise trigger data acquisitionmodule 138 to obtain at least some delivery-indicative data 411-413 inresponse to the item being delivered to station 940 (by performingoperation 53, e.g.). See FIG. 15. In some variants, for example, task493 may include one or more instances of delivery tasks 494, pickuptasks 495, recharge tasks 496, reconfiguration tasks 497, or datatransfer tasks 498. In some variants, for example, UAD 901 downloadseach successive task in a resting state after completing the prior task.Alternatively or additionally, tracking control module 977 may beconfigured to implement a default tracking mode 361—indicating at leastone of the first item(s) or UAD(s), e.g.—for each task 494-499 exceptwhen that task specifies an alternative tracking mode (such as a briefmode 362 or user-defined mode 363, e.g.).

In some variants, one or more instances of tracking control module 148resident in network 990 may be configured to perform operation 55. Thiscan occur, for example, in a context in which the first UAD 901 does nothave any on-board capability of performing operation 55 or is currentlyconfigured not to perform operation 55; in which network 990 containsone or more instances of primary unit 110 (resident in a “second” UAD202 or tower-based station 520, e.g.); and in which tracking controlmodule 148 receives tracking mode 982 as a component of a delivery task980 assigned to the first UAD 901.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for tracking control (identifying and updating how incrementsof task progress are documented, e.g.) without undue experimentation orfor configuring other decisions and devices as described herein. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,179,261 (“Identification and surveillance device,system and method for individual item level tracking”); U.S. Pat. No.8,179,253 (“Location and tracking system, method and device usingwireless technology”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,135,171 (“Multipoint trackingmethod and related device”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,115,625 (“Parental alertand child tracking device which determines if a child has deviated froma predicated travel route”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,014,917 (“Apparatus fortracking and recording vital signs and task-related information of avehicle to identify operating patterns”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,978,065(“Device, system and method for tracking mobile assets”); U.S. Pat. No.7,951,046 (“Device, method and computer program product for tracking andmonitoring an exercise regimen”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,445 (“Mechanismfor tracking the execution progress of a parent task which spawns one ormore concurrently executing child tasks”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,401,030(“Method and system for tracking disposition status of an item to bedelivered within an organization”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,124 (“Systemsand methods for automatically managing work flow based on tracking jobstep completion status”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,420 (“Online tracking ofdelivery status information over a computer network”).

Referring again to FIG. 19, extensive operation 81 describes signaling adecision whether or not to omit a record of the first unmanned aerialdevice completing the delivery task of the first unmanned aerial deviceas an automatic and conditional response to the tracking mode of thedelivery task of the first unmanned aerial device (e.g. selectiveretention module 158 implementing either a decision 434 to deactivaterecord generation module 978 temporarily or a decision 435 to causerecord generation module 978 to generate a record 961 of “first” UAD 901having made such a delivery by configuring record generation module 978before UAD 901 approaches building 945). This can occur, for example, ina context in which decision 435 is “implemented” by a selectiveretention module 158 (resident in network 990, e.g.) transmitting (torecord generation module 978, e.g.) either (1) a Boolean expression(“yes,” e.g.) indicating that a user has requested one or more records961-963 of the delivery or (2) an identifier 444 of which tracking mode361-363 to use in such acquisition. Alternatively or additionally,decision 435 may be implemented by causing record generation module 978to be transmitted to or updated aboard UAD 901. Likewise a decision 434“to omit a record” may be “implemented” by selective retention module158 causing a selective deletion of record 961 (of UAD 901 deliveringthe “first” item to station 940, e.g.) before one or more similarrecords 962-964 (relating to other tasks, e.g.) are transmitted from UAD901 to network 990 (in a batch transfer, e.g.). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which a data acquisition module 139 residing inUAD 901 generates and holds at least one photograph 553, 554 or otherrecord 961-963 for each delivery aboard UAD 901 (in a memory 395 orother data-handling medium 195 thereof, e.g.); in which record omissionmodule 979 selectively deletes a subset of such records 961-963identified by selective retention module 158; and in which a remainder(comprising record 962, e.g.) of such records is later transmitted tonetwork 990. In other contexts a selective retention module 158 residentin network 990 can implement a decision to omit such a record 961 of thedelivery task completion (from a data transmission to a station 520outside network 990, e.g.) by explicitly listing (a) one or more records962-963 to be included in such transmission or (b) one or more records961 to be excluded from such transmission. This can occur, for example,in a context in which UAD 901 implements primary unit 110 and one ormore of the above-described UAD's and in which either (1) unwantedtracking of delivery task 980 would occur or (2) UAD 901 would be unableto track a completion of other potentially available tasks 491-499.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for selective event tracking without undue experimentation orfor configuring other decisions and devices as described herein. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,219,572 (“System and method for searchingenterprise application data”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,165,932 (“Enhancement ofnetwork accounting records”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,019,771 (“Method fordynamically finding relations between database tables”); U.S. Pat. No.7,922,088 (“System and method to automatically discriminate betweendifferent data types”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,903,839 (“Method for cancelingimpact of physical property variability on image quality performance ofdigital imaging system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,883,013 (“Mobile image captureand processing system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,870,012 (“Method for managing aworkflow process that assists users in procurement, sourcing, anddecision-support for strategic sourcing”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,835,971(“Method and system configured for facilitating management ofinternational trade receivables transactions”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,792,808(“More efficient search algorithm (MESA) using virtual searchparameters”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,769,644 (“Bill of lading transmission andprocessing system for less than a load carriers”); U.S. Pat. No.7,739,096 (“System for extraction of representative data for training ofadaptive process monitoring equipment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,733,223(“Effectively documenting irregularities in a responsive user'senvironment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,065 (“System, method and computerprogram product for merging data in a network-based filtering andaggregating platform”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,496,670 (“Digital assetmonitoring system and method”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,467,122 (“System foraiding the design of product configuration”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,394,817(“Distributed data caching in hybrid peer-to-peer systems”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,346,675 (“System, method and computer program product forcontract-based aggregation”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,142,110 (“Automaticconditioning of data accumulated by sensors monitoring supply chainprocesses”).

FIG. 10 depicts another context in which one or more of theabove-described systems may be implemented. System 10 comprises one ormore instances of participating mobile devices 1010 such as airplanes1001, helicopters 1002, or dirigibles 1003. Each such mobile device 1010may, moreover, comprise a passenger vehicle 1004 (like a car 602 orpassenger airplane, e.g.), a handheld device (like a cellular telephoneor UAD 201, UAD 202 of FIG. 2, e.g.), or another unmanned aerial device1005 (such as a glider, balloon, rocket, helicopter 1002, dirigible1003, or other such device configured to be maneuvered in flight, e.g.).In some contexts, moreover, such a device may include one or moreinstances of fuel cells 1021 or batteries or other primary energysources 1022 or secondary energy sources (a photovoltaic cell, e.g.);wireless communication linkages 1094 (operably coupled with one or morecontrollers 1095 in network 1090 and remote from device 1010, e.g.); aglobal positioning system (GPS) 1063; timers 1064; or local controllers1085 operable for controlling one, two, or several props 1071, 1072,1073 or wheels 683 (via one or more motors 1081, 1082, 1083, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for remotely, autonomously, or otherwise controlling one ormore devices in flight without undue experimentation or for configuringother decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.No. 8,090,525 (“Device and method for providing automatic assistance toair traffic controllers”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,395 (“Control system forautomatic circle flight”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,890,221 (“Method and devicefor consolidation by software synchronisation in flight controlcomputers”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,233 (“Automatic formation flightcontrol system (AFFCS)—a system for automatic formation flight controlof vehicles not limited to aircraft, helicopters, or space platforms”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,865 (“Miniature, unmanned aircraft with onboardstabilization and automated ground control of flight path”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,604,044 (“Method for generating conflict resolutions for airtraffic control of free flight operations”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,552,669(“Automated air-traffic advisory system and method”); U.S. Pat. No.6,538,581 (“Apparatus for indicating air traffic and terrain collisionthreat to an aircraft”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,377 (“Virtual presence”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,867 (“Integrated air traffic management andcollision avoidance system”).

Another system in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 11. Secondary unit 1150 comprises one or more instances ofsequence recognition modules 1106, 1107; data capture modules 1108,1109; interface control modules 1110, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114, 1115; taskimplementation modules 1130, 1131, 1132, 1133, 1134, 1135, 1136, 1137,1138, 1139; timers 1141 or other delay elements; outputs 1142 (speakers1171 or displays 1172 configured to present data to device user 226,e.g.); proximity detection modules 1153, 1154; resource reservationmodules 1156, 1157; or motion control modules 1158, 1159. In somevariants, one or more instances of secondary unit 1150 may be operablycoupled with event/condition detection unit or may reside in one or morenetworks 190, 990, 1090 described above.

Another system in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 12. A medium 1200 (of storage or transmission or display,e.g.) may include one or more instances of task scheduler 1220containing or otherwise able to access table entries 1225 comprising oneor more digitally represented tasks 1211, 1212, 1213, 1214 (each shownas a row, e.g.), each of which may include one or more instances of taskidentifiers 1221, values 1222, or specifications 1223. Medium 1200 mayalso include status-indicative data 1240 (comprising one or more ofimage data 1241, GPS data 1242, or timing data 1243, e.g.); taskdescriptions 1251, 1252, 1253; or other task-related data 1250 asdescribed herein.

Another context in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 13, depicting a stationary computer (implementinginterface device 310, e.g.) having a keyboard 1391 (implementing input391, e.g.) and a user's chair 1373 in an office 1380. Office 1380further comprises a desktop 1372 that supports or comprises a target1360 (an ASIC 409, surface pattern, or other feature detectable by UAD1005, e.g.) within a vicinity 1371 of which a delivery or landing (by orof UAD 1005, e.g.) may occur as described below.

Another context in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 14, depicting one or more instances of articles 1400 eachcomprising a comparator 1401 or other event/condition logic 1410 thatmay (optionally) implement target 1360 as well. Alternatively oradditionally, article 1400 may comprise one or more instances of passiveradio frequency identification (RFID) chips 1461; a cup 1464 or othercontainer 1465 above which is a position 1463 to which UAD 1005 may fly;device activations modules 1471, 1472; device configuration modules1475; task implementation modules 1481, 1482, 1483, 1484, 1485, 1486;device configuration modules 1475; task implementation modules 1481,1482, 1483, 1484, 1485, 1486; charge-coupled devices (CCD's) 1493 orother sensor arrays 1494; or disk drives 1495. In some contexts, asvariously described herein, article 1400 (implementing UAD 1005, e.g.)may include a sensor array 1494 (camera, e.g.) configured to depict(some or all of) a vicinity (chair 1373, e.g.) of an object (target1360, e.g.) or a person 727 or of itself.

Another context in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 20, depicting various structures forming a part of UAD1005 (on a bottom or side thereof, e.g.) having one or more mechanicallinkages 2040 (adhesives or tethers or clamps or other such releasablesupport mechanisms 2020, e.g.) that can physically engage or disengageone or more cargo modules 2090. As shown, each such cargo module 2090may include one or more instances of packages 2050 (having a hole 2049therethrough, e.g.); syringes 2061, inhalers 2062, capsules 2063(containing a dose 2064 of therapeutic material, e.g.), or other suchproducts 2060 (in a dispenser 2038, e.g.); data handling units 2078(comprising a camera 2071, display 2072, or other device having aprimary function of handling data, e.g.); or releasable UAD energysources (battery 2085, e.g.). In a variant of structure 2030 configuredto engage package 2050, for example, a cross-sectional view 2048 acrosshole 2049 is shown in a context in which package 2050 protrudes into agroove 2026 of UAD 1005. Post 2006 may be moved (e.g. magnetically by asolenoid or mechanically by a spring, not shown) toward recess 2023 (tothe right, as shown) to engage package 2050 or away from recess 2023 (tothe left, as shown) to disengage package 2050, as described below.Alternatively or additionally, UAD 1005 may include a robotic arm 2039or similar structure 2030 for engaging or disengaging cargo module 2090(pursuant to an engagement trigger or disengagement trigger from of oneor more task implementation modules 1130-1139, 1481-1486, e.g.).

In some embodiments, a material is “therapeutic” if it includes apharmaceutical (e.g. an antibiotic, pain reliever, or stimulant), anutraceutical (e.g. a dietary supplement or other therapeutic foodingredient), a topically applied material (e.g. a liniment or lotionprescribed or used in a medical other health-related practice), or otherproduct or components (e.g. propellants, inhalants, inoculants, orresorbable binders or coatings) intended primarily to maintain orimprove a subject's health or performance. Some embodiments relate to adelivery of a “single dose” (±50%, e.g.) generally signifying aprescribed or recommended amount of a material (“two aspirin,” e.g.) tobe administered into or onto a subject's body either (1) periodically or(2) at one time.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for configuring devices to engage or disengage data handlingunits, medical products, energy sources, or other such modular cargowithout undue experimentation or for configuring other decisions anddevices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,698(“Sampling probe, gripper and interface for laboratory sample managementsystems”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,179,496 (“Display casing capable ofaccommodating LCD panel modules of different sizes”); U.S. Pat. No.8,167,236 (“Hybrid lift air vehicle”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,164,302 (“Systemfor replenishing energy sources onboard different types of automaticvehicles”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,814 (“Lighter-than-air vertical loadlifting system”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,128,026 (“Removable cargo pod withlifting mechanism and open top”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,122,982 (“Mobile robotsystems and methods”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,101,434 (“Method for LED-moduleassembly”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,091,463 (“Machine gun ammunition holderincorporating center of gravity downward ejection-deflector”); U.S. Pat.No. 8,066,460 (“Apparatus and method for cargo loading system”); U.S.Pat. No. 8,037,839 (“Device for handling a load hoisted between twolocations offset both vertically and horizontally”); U.S. Pat. No.8,029,228 (“Cable hoisting apparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,919,060(“Dispenser for flattened articles”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,370 (“Methodand apparatus for assembling exterior automotive vehicle body componentsonto an automotive vehicle body”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,750,778 (“System andmethod for attachment of objects”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,255 (“End of armtool, apparatus, and method of engaging an article”); U.S. Pat. No.7,648,513 (“Surgical manipulator for a telerobotic system”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,641,461 (“Robotic systems for automated construction”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,549,204 (“Methods for picking and placing workpieces into smallform factor hard disk drives”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,474,212 (“Object taggedwith RFID tag and device and method for processing it”); and U.S. Pat.No. 7,252,453 (“Robot arm coupling apparatus”).

Another context in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 21. A medium 2100 (configured to implement storage ortransmission or display, e.g.) may bear one or more instances ofindications 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105, 2106, 2107, 2108, 2109;triggers 2111, 2112, 2113, 2114, 2115, 2116, 2117, 2118, 2119, 2120;guidance 2130; decisions 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134; clips 2151, 2152, 2153;images 2161, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2165; distances 2171, 2172, 2173, 2174,2175; directions 2186, 2187, 2188, 2189; or signals 2191, 2192, 2193,2194, 2195. Each of these items may (optionally) include two or morecomponents. In various embodiments, for example, one or more of triggers2110-2120 may comprise one or more instances of a character sequence2121 or similar digital expression 2122 (expressing a scalar operatingparameter 2127, an alphanumeric identifier, or other such operatingparameter 2128, e.g.) to which a trigger recipient (an instance of taskimplementation module 1130 residing in UAD 1005 or another moduledepicted in FIGS. 1-20, e.g.) is configured to respond. Each suchtrigger may likewise comprise one or more software-implemented controlmodules 2124 (comprising a device-implemented command sequence 2125,e.g.) or operating parameters 2126, 2127, 2128.

Several variants described herein refer to software or otherdevice-detectable “implementations” such as one or more instances ofcomputer-readable code, transistor or latch connectivity layouts orother geometric expressions of logical elements, firmware or softwareexpressions of transfer functions implementing computationalspecifications, digital expressions of truth tables, or the like. Suchinstances can, in some implementations, include source code or otherhuman-readable portions. Alternatively or additionally, functions ofimplementations described herein may constitute one or moredevice-detectable outputs such as decisions, manifestations, sideeffects, results, coding or other expressions, displayable images, datafiles, data associations, statistical correlations, streaming signals,intensity levels, frequencies or other measurable attributes, packets orother encoded expressions, or the like from invoking or monitoring theimplementation as described herein.

In some embodiments, a “state” of a component may comprise “available”or some other such state-descriptive labels, an event count or othersuch memory values, a partial depletion or other such physical propertyof a supply device, a voltage, or any other such conditions orattributes that may change between two or more possible valuesirrespective of device location. Such states may be received directly asa measurement or other detection, in some variants, and/or may beinferred from a component's behavior over time. A distributed or othercomposite system may comprise vector-valued device states, moreover,which may affect dispensations or departures in various ways asexemplified herein.

Another context in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 22. A medium 2200 (configured to implement storage ortransmission or display, e.g.) may bear one or more instances of jobrecords 2210; data 2250, 2251, 2252, 2253 (comprising measurements 2211,2212, 2213, 2214 or images or other results 2221, 2222, 2223, 2224,2225, e.g.); triggers 2281, 2282, 2283, 2284; thresholds 2291, 2292,2293, 2294; or components of other media 195, 410, 1200, 2100 describedabove. In some variants, for example, a job record may include one ormore task identifiers 2201, 2202, 2203 configured to identify, inrespective embodiments, any of the other tasks indicated herein to beimplemented in one or more devices.

Another context in which one or more technologies may be implemented isshown in FIG. 28. A mounted camera 2836 (supported by a building orother stationary structure, e.g.) is configured to observe one or moreinstances of a particular person (a recipient 2850 of a delivery, e.g.)or a portion thereof (a hand 2864 or face 2865, e.g.) or a wearabledevice (an earpiece 2861 or wristband 2863, e.g.) or a partial or entirevicinity 2855 (room or other facility, e.g.) of one of these entities.Moreover in some contexts, as further described below, recipient 2850may be a user of one or more of the above-described devices (in vicinity2855, e.g.).

With reference now to flow 23 of FIG. 23 and to other flows 15-19described above, in some variants, one or more intensive operations2311, 2316, 2318 described below may (optionally) be performed inconjunction with one or more intensive operations 51-55 described above.Alternatively or additionally, extensive operation 2393 described belowmay likewise comprise or be performed in conjunction with one or moreextensive operations 81-85 described above.

Intensive operation 2311 describes configuring the first unmanned aerialdevice to perform a first observation of a particular task in a firstzone and a second unmanned aerial device to perform a second observationof the particular task in a second zone (e.g. task implementation module1138 transmitting a trigger 2282 causing UAD 801 to capture an audio orvideo clip 2151 of a person 726 carrying UAD 701 seeking device 775 inzone 781 and also transmitting a trigger 2283 instructing UAD 802 tocapture an audio or video clip 2152 of the person 726 seeking device 775in zone 782). This can occur, for example, in a context in which one ormore UAD's 701 or people 726 are performing the particular task 499(monitoring person 726 seeking device 775, e.g.) across one or more zoneboundaries 789; in which secondary unit 1150 includes event/conditiondetection unit 400 and media 2100, 2200; in which at least one UAD 801,802 contains or otherwise interacts with secondary unit 1150; in whichsuch UAD's 801, 802 or people 726 have different UAD operatingrestrictions in respective zones 781, 782 (UAD 801 lacking permission tomove or transmit only within zone 782, for example, or UAD 802 lackingpermission to move or transmit only within zone 781); and in whichadequate surveillance of the entire task 499 would otherwise beprohibited (by the owners of the respective zones 781, 782, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for coordinating surveillance among two or more observerswithout undue experimentation or for configuring other decisions anddevices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,180,107 (“Activecoordinated tracking for multi-camera systems”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,936(“Apparatus and method for cooperative multi target tracking andinterception”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,739,157 (“Method of tracking the realtime location of shoppers, associates, managers and vendors through acommunication multi-network within a store”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,232(“Real-time team coordination system for reconnaissance and surveillancemissions”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,295,106 (“Systems and methods forclassifying objects within a monitored zone using multiple surveillancedevices”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,999,876 (“Modular architecture for rapiddeployment and coordination of emergency event field surveillance”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,963,279 (“System and method for transmittingsurveillance signals from multiple units to a number of points”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,577,976 (“Method for dynamic autocalibration of amulti-sensor tracking system and apparatus incorporating it therein”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,718 (“Continuous multi-satellite tracking”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,084,827 (“Dual-head multibeam sonar apparatus and method fortracking objects underwater”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,523 (“Method andapparatus for multi-sensor, multi-target tracking using a geneticalgorithm”).

Intensive operation 2316 describes configuring the first unmanned aerialdevice to capture normalcy-indicative data relating to a human subject(e.g. task implementation module 1135 causing, by transmitting anappropriate trigger 2281, a data capture module 1108 to record one ormore scalar measurements 2211-2213 or other data 2250-2253 directly orindirectly indicative of whether or not an item recipient 555, user 226,626 or other human subject meets one or more recognizable criteriaindicative of the human subject being impaired or otherwise abnormal).This can occur, for example, in a context in which a primary unit 110contains a data capture module 1108 of one secondary unit 1150 andreceives the trigger 2281 from another secondary unit 1150; in whichdata 2251 comprises a video clip of the human subject taking something(a purse, e.g.) previously carried by another and then running away (ata pace greater than 4 miles per hour within 5 seconds of the takingevent, e.g.); and in which primary unit 110 also implements one or moremedia 2200 of a “first” UAD as described above. See, e.g., FIG. 2 or5-10. In some contexts, such optically detectable events 1414 orconditions may be recognizable (as negatively indicative of normalcy,e.g.) by a corresponding optical condition detection module 1404 or bysecurity personnel remotely viewing such data 2250. Alternatively oradditionally, data 2252 may comprise (1) an infrared image indicatingwarmer-than-normal or cooler-than-normal regions of the human subject'sskin; (2) one or more scalar measurements 2211, 2212 of the subject'sbody temperature, exhaled gas analysis (detecting a ketone concentrationor other indication of intoxication, e.g.), rates (of respiration,speech, movement, or heartbeats, e.g.), or other such biometricparameters. Such events 1415 or conditions may be device-detectable orhumanly recognizable (as negatively indicative of normalcy, e.g.) by acorresponding optical condition detection module 1404, by anotherpattern recognition module 1421, or by a person remotely viewing suchdata 2251-2253 in real time. In some contexts, for example, patternrecognition module 1421 may comprise a comparator 1401 configured togenerate one or more results 2221, 2222 (“normal,” e.g.) of comparingone or more performance or biometric measurements 2211-2213 of a user226, 626 each against one or more corresponding normalcy-indicativethresholds 2291-2293 (maxima, e.g.). Such recognition may, for example,trigger the “first” UAD to obtain additional images or measurements 2214pertaining to the apparent normalcy of the human subject.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for obtaining measurements, comparison results, or othernormalcy-indicative data without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,135,957 (“Access control system based on brainpatterns”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,842 (“Method of eye aliveness testingand device for eye aliveness testing”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,809,163 (“Methodfor prohibiting a person with a facial mask to operate an automaticteller machine”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,840,346 (“Real time performancecomparison”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,101 (“Quantifying psychological stresslevels using voice patterns”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,825,815 (“Apparatus,systems, and methods for gathering and processing biometric andbiomechanical data”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,733,214 (“System and methods forthe remote measurement of a person's biometric data in a controlledstate by way of synchronized music, video and lyrics”); U.S. Pat. No.8,094,009 (“Health-related signaling via wearable items”); U.S. Pat. No.8,145,199 (“Controlling mobile device functions”); U.S. Pat. No.8,211,035 (“System and method for monitoring health using exhaledbreath”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,477,993 (“Multiple sensing system anddevice”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,172,459 (“Apparatus and method for measuringbiologic parameters”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,108,083 (“Vehicular system whichretrieves hospitality information promoting improvement of user'scurrent energy value based on detected temporal change of biologicalcondition”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,787,663 (“System and method for detectingthermal anomalies”).

Intensive operation 2318 describes causing the first unmanned aerialdevice to undertake a performance observation task of a job thatincludes a performance task and the performance observation task (e.g.task implementation module 1137 transmitting to UAD 501, as the “first”UAD, a task identifier 2201 corresponding to a task description 1251calling for specific status-indicative data 1240 relating to anotherdevice 1010 undertaking to fulfill a performance task description 1252corresponding to task identifier 2202). This can occur, for example, inwhich secondary unit 1150 and media 1200, 2200 reside aboard UAD 501; inwhich the “performance” specified by task description 1252 comprisesdelivering an envelope 551; in which task description 1251 relates toobtaining one or more of image data 1241 (including photograph 553,e.g.), GPS data 1242 (of destination 530, e.g.), or timing data 1243documenting the delivery; and in which such observation and performanceare respectively identified by task identifiers 2201, 2202 of a singlecommon job record 2210. Alternatively or additionally, such taskdescription 1251 and other task descriptions 1252, 1253 may comprise jobdescription data 1130 managed and delegated by a common taskimplementation module 1137. Other such task identifiers or descriptionsmay (optionally) comprise a scalar or other operating parameter 2126 ofone or more triggers 421-423, 2111-2120 transmitted by taskimplementation modules 1130-1139, for example, as described herein.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for assigning tasks to respective devices without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,945,470 (“Facilitatingperformance of submitted tasks by mobile task performers”); U.S. Pat.No. 8,127,300 (“Hardware based dynamic load balancing of message passinginterface tasks”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,716,667 (“Migrating virtual machinesamong computer systems to balance load caused by virtual machines”);U.S. Pat. No. 8,200,084 (“Encoding for information needed for routingand wavelength assignment in wavelength switched optical networks”);U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,168 (“Memory access assignment for parallelprocessing architectures”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,092 (“Method andapparatus for distributed state-based load balancing between taskqueues”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,184,860 (“Image processing device forcontrolling a plurality of tasks”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,996,893(“Determining roles for automated tasks in a role-based access controlenvironment”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,184,860 (“Image processing device forcontrolling a plurality of tasks”).

Extensive operation 2393 describes configuring the first unmanned aerialdevice to transmit a wireless signal indicative of having performed aparticular task and not to store any indication of having performed theparticular task (e.g. task implementation module 1136 transmitting atrigger 2114 to which a component of UAD 1005 responds by transmittingone or more optical or other wireless signals 454 indicative of UAD 1005having completed a particular task 491-499 without any component borneby UAD 1005 storing any indication of the particular task having beenperformed). This can occur, for example, in a context in which volatilememory 395 contains an indication 2108 of such completion that taskimplementation module 1136 includes in wireless signal 454 and in whichtask implementation module 1136 comprises event/condition detection unit400. Alternatively or additionally, task implementation module 1136 maybe configured to generate an indication 2108 of such completion (inresponse to one or more of photographs 553, 554 or GPS data 1242 ortiming data 1243 documenting a completed delivery task, e.g.) forinclusion in wireless signal 454.

With reference now to flow 24 of FIG. 24 and to other flows 15-19, 23described above, in some variants, intensive operation 2415 describedbelow may (optionally) be performed in conjunction with one or moreintensive operations described above. Alternatively or additionally, oneor more extensive operations 2494, 2497, 2498 described below maylikewise comprise or be performed in conjunction with one or moreextensive operations described above.

Intensive operation 2415 describes transmitting a wireless signalindicative of a delivery of a package to a device associated with arecipient of the package, the wireless signal indicating at least one ofthe first unmanned aerial device or the package or a sender of thepackage (e.g. data delivery module 154 transmitting a wireless signal451 indicative of a delivery of a package 2050 into a vicinity of anarticle 1400 associated with a purchaser of the package 2050, thewireless signal 451 indicating at least one of the 1st UAD 1005 or thepackage 2050 or a sender 510 of the package 2050). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which primary unit 110 resides in the “first”UAD 1005 or in another device 1010 described herein; in which the“vicinity” comprises the room in which article 1400 is situated; inwhich task implementation module 1481 transmits various operatingparameters 2126-2128 (specified by a UAD user 226 or package sender 510,e.g.) relating to such delivery. One such sequence 2121, for example,may (optionally) comprise an alias 823 or other expression 2122facilitating an identification of article 1400. Another such expression2122 may comprise global positioning system (GPS) or other destinationcoordinates 605, 606 (of the article 1400, e.g. or of an alternativedestination to be used if the “first” UAD 1005 cannot locate the article1400, e.g.). Other such parameters may comprise one or more distances2171-2175; directions 2186-2189; protocol identifiers, or other suchindications 2101-2109 described herein.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for specifying how a delivery is to be performed without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,542 (“Conditional datadelivery to remote devices”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,112,475 (“Managing datadelivery based on device state”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,090,826 (“Schedulingdata delivery to manage device resources”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,230(“Method and apparatus for tracking a special service delivery of a mailitem created by an office worker”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,587,369 (“Trustedand secure techniques, systems and methods for item delivery andexecution”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,401,030 (“Method and system for trackingdisposition status of an item to be delivered within an organization”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,983 (“Intelligent parcel monitoring and controllingapparatus and method and terminal for executing real-time parcel pickupand delivery and operation method thereof”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,937(“Systems and methods for utilizing a tracking label in an item deliverysystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,354 (“System and method for automaticnotification of upcoming delivery of mail item”).

Extensive operation 2494 describes signaling a decision whether or notto reserve a space for a passenger vehicle (e.g. resource reservationmodule 1156 transmitting a trigger 2118 that is effective to allocateparking space 648 for the use of car 602). This can occur, for example,in a context in which the trigger 2118 includes an affirmative decision2133 (to reserve parking space 648, e.g.) that has been received from aperson (user 626, e.g.) aboard the passenger vehicle; in which secondaryunit 1150 resides in UAD 601 or in a stationary unit (at station 520,e.g.) operable to communicate with UAD 601 and in which resourcereservation module 1156 maintains one or more records 964 indicatingavailable and unavailable parking spaces (in the same parking lot, e.g.)monitored by UAD 601. In some contexts, moreover, UAD 601 may(optionally) perform operation 2494 by hovering or landing in parkingspace 648 to notify passersby that the space is taken.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for associating a thing or person with another thing or personwithout undue experimentation or for configuring other decisions anddevices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,809 (“Systemand method for associating an absorbent article with a user”); U.S. Pat.No. 8,180,827 (“Method and apparatus for associating graphic icon ininternet virtual world with user's experience in real world”); U.S. Pat.No. 8,160,615 (“Method and system for generating associations between auser profile and wireless devices”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,131,745(“Associating user identities with different unique identifiers”); U.S.Pat. No. 8,051,429 (“Method for associating data bearing objects withuser interface objects”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,194 (“Associating anobject with a relevant data source”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,979,585 (“Systemand method to associate a private user identity with a public useridentity”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,505 (“System and method for associatinga user with a user profile in a computer network environment”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,787,870 (“Method and system for associating a user profile toa caller identifier”).

Extensive operation 2497 describes signaling a decision whether or notto reserve a specific resource by associating the specific resource witha specific device or with a specific person (e.g. resource reservationmodule 157 transmitting one or more triggers 2113, 2120 effective forimplementing or broadcasting an association of a sender 510 or device775 with person 725). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichnetwork 190 comprises one or more systems 4-9 and media 1200, 2100, 2200as described herein; in which trigger 2113 includes one expression 2122for the specific resource (sender 510 or device 775, e.g.) and anotherexpression 2122 for the specific entity (device or person, e.g.) withwhich the specific resource is or will be associated. Alternatively oradditionally, in some implementations, resource reservation module 1157may perform operation 2497 by transmitting an indication 2103 that aspecific resource (a modular data handling unit 2078, e.g.) not bereserved for a specific entity (UAD 201, e.g.) by associating thespecific resource with another specific entity (UAD 202, e.g.). This canoccur, for example, in a context in which the specific resource can onlybe associated with one such entity.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for allocating resources without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,204,770 (“Computer-implemented systems and methods forresource allocation”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,200,583 (“Method and system forleasing or purchasing domain names”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,099,339 (“Systemsand methods for pharmacy inventory management”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,979,309(“Method and system for automating inventory management of consumeritems”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,956,769 (“Method and system forreservation-based parking”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,354 (“Method and systemfor lease of assets, such as trailers, storage devices and facilities”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,865,409 (“Vehicle inventory management system andmethod”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,839,526 (“Reservation of secondary printingdevices in a substitute printing system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,186(“Automated adjustment of IP address lease time based on usage”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,797,077 (“System and method for managing vending inventory”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,680,691 (“Inventory management system using RFID”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,636,687 (“Method and system for completing a lease for realproperty in an on-line computing environment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,636,669(“Recreational outing reservation system”).

Extensive operation 2498 describes responding to an indication of thefirst unmanned aerial device becoming within a proximity of a mobiledevice (e.g. proximity detection module 1153 determining whether UAD1005 has come into a vicinity 2855 of an earpiece 2861, wristband 2863,or other article 1400 wearable by a person). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which such an article 1400 (comprising device775, e.g.) is worn by a person 725 who is moving (toward or away fromUAD 1005, e.g.); in which proximity detection module 1153 resides withinthe (wearable or other mobile) device 775 or within the “first” UAD1005; in which one or more components of such device are thereby able todetect a proximity of the other device; and in which proximity detectionmodule 1153 responds by invoking one or more task implementation modules1130-1139, 1481-1486 described herein.

A first device may “become within” a proximity of a second device by oneor both such devices moving toward the other. Each proximity detectionmodule 1153 may, in some instances, operate by having a sensor as acomponent of a first device that detects the other device becoming closeenough to the sensor to be detected by the sensor, irrespective of whichdevice(s) moved. Alternatively or additionally, some implementations ofproximity detection module 1153 may reside remotely from both devicesand may be configured to determine the devices' mutual proximity fromtheir respective coordinates 605, 606. In some contexts, for example, aproximity of an object may comprise a room (of a patient in a hospital,e.g.) containing the object. In others, a proximity (of target 1360,e.g.) may comprise only an immediate vicinity 1371 (within a fewcentimeters, e.g.) of the object or may comprise an entire surface(desktop 1372, e.g.) on which such an object is positioned.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for computing a difference between locations without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,044,798 (“Passive microwavespeed and intrusion detection system”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,026,850(“Apparatus and method for computing location of a moving beacon usingtime difference of arrival and multi-frequencies”); U.S. Pat. No.7,962,283 (“Deviation-correction system for positioning of movingobjects and motion tracking method thereof”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,778,792(“Systems and methods for location, motion, and contact detection andtracking in a networked audiovisual device”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,329(“Method and detection system for monitoring the speed of an elevatorcar”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,671,795 (“Wireless communications device withglobal positioning based on received motion data and method for usetherewith”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,049 (“Detection of high velocitymovement in a telecommunication system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,460,052(“Multiple frequency through-the-wall motion detection and ranging usinga difference-based estimation technique”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,242,462(“Speed detection methods and devices”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,206(“Baseball pitch speed measurement and strike zone detection devices”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,304 (“Integrated GPS radar speed detection system”).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for detecting whether two devices are near one another withoutundue experimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,107 (“Automatic networkand device configuration for handheld devices based on bluetooth deviceproximity”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,050,243 (“Method and system for evaluatingproximity to a WLAN for a UMA/GAN compatible electronic device”); U.S.Pat. No. 8,019,283 (“Automatic data encryption and access control basedon Bluetooth device proximity”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,769,984 (“Dual-issuanceof microprocessor instructions using dual dependency matrices”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,574,077 (“Optical imaging device for optical proximitycommunication”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,184 (“Liquid crystal panel andequipment comprising said liquid crystal panel”); U.S. Pat. No.7,010,098 (“Ultrasonic proximity detector for a telephone device”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,735,444 (“Method and system for locating a device using alocal wireless link”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,950 (“Obstacle proximitywarning device for vehicles”).

With reference now to flow 25 of FIG. 25 and to other flows 15-19, 23,24 described above, in some variants, one or more intensive operations2511, 2513, 2517 described below may (optionally) be performed inconjunction with one or more intensive operations described above.Alternatively or additionally, one or more extensive operations 2592,2599 described below may likewise comprise or be performed inconjunction with one or more extensive operations described above.

Intensive operation 2511 describes presenting navigation guidance via adisplay aboard the first unmanned aerial device while a primary motor ofthe first unmanned aerial device is not moving the first unmanned aerialdevice (e.g. triggering interface control module 1111 to outputnavigation guidance 2130 via a touchscreen or other display 1172 borneby UAD 1005 after controller 1085 stops motor 1081). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which UAD 1005 includes a secondary unit 1150that includes one or more media 2110 and in which controller 1085switches motor 1081 off. Alternatively or additionally, taskimplementation module 1131 may perform operation 2511 by displayingguidance 2130 (arrows, words, or other turn-by-turn navigationinstructions for a pedestrian or motor vehicle, e.g.). In some variants,for example, such guidance 2130 may be outputted locally (to a user 226via a speaker 1171 or display 1172, 2072 aboard UAD 1005, e.g.) whileUAD 1005 is stationary (tethered or hovering or landed, e.g.).Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, such taskimplementation modules 1131, 1132 may be disabled selectively by asignal from controller 1085 (a control signal indicating that motor 1081is active, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for providing navigational guidance without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,179,287 (“Method andapparatus for communicating map and route guidance information forvehicle navigation”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,170,798 (“Navigation system andoperation guidance display method for use in this navigation system”);U.S. Pat. No. 8,155,805 (“Flight guidance and navigation display for ahelicopter”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,970,539 (“Method of direction-guidanceusing 3D sound and navigation system using the method”); U.S. Pat. No.7,899,617 (“Navigation system providing route guidance in multi-laneroad according to vehicle lane position”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,497(“Vision based navigation and guidance system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,306(“Voice guidance device and navigation device with the same”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,901,330 (“Navigation system, method and device with voiceguidance”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,935 (“Integrated filter feed-thru”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,182 (“Method and system for providing walkinginstructions with route guidance in a navigation program”).

Intensive operation 2513 describes transmitting navigation guidance viaa speaker of the first unmanned aerial device while a primary motor ofthe first unmanned aerial device is not moving the first unmanned aerialdevice (e.g. task implementation module 1132 triggering interfacecontrol module 1111 to output navigation guidance 2130 via a speaker1171 borne by UAD 1005 after controller 1085 disengages motor 1081 frompropeller 1071). This can occur, for example, in a context in which UAD1005 includes a secondary unit 1150 that includes one or more media 2110and in which controller 1085 permits UAD 1005 to idle (drift or land,e.g.) by disengaging one or more primary motors 1081, 1082 thereof fromone or more props 1071, 1072 to which it/they correspond (by mechanicalcoupling, e.g.). In some variants, for example, such task implementationmodules 1131, 1132 may be enabled (so that it is possible for thetransmission to coincide with the condition recited in operation 2513,e.g.) by a signal from a sensor array 1494 positioned adjacent one ormore props 1071, 1072 (indicating that they are stopped, e.g.).

Intensive operation 2517 describes identifying an operating mode of thefirst unmanned aerial device audibly or visibly while a primary motor ofthe first unmanned aerial device is not moving the first unmanned aerialdevice (e.g. task implementation module 1133 identifying one or moretriggers 2111-2120 or operating parameters 2126-2128 relating to how UAD701 is performing or will perform a current or scheduled task 491-499 sothat a person 726 who is carrying UAD 701 can hear or see suchinformation). This can occur, for example, in a context in which speaker1171 can announce such information audibly (in response to a voice menuaboard UAD 701, e.g.) or in which a display 1172, 2072 aboard UAD 701can present such information visibly, or both. This can occur, forexample, in a context in which the operating mode(s) that currentlyapply to the UAD (silent or not, flight permitted or not, e.g.) can be afunction of which of the proximate zones 781, 782 currently contain UAD701.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for reporting current or scheduled operating parameterswithout undue experimentation or for configuring other decisions anddevices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,203,426 (“Feedprotocol used to report status and event information in physical accesscontrol system”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,171,318 (“Reporting flash memoryoperating voltages”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,121,083 (“Method and device forreporting request for uplink scheduling or emergency in wirelessnetwork”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,024,138 (“Power supply circuitry, collectionand reporting of power supply parameter information”); U.S. Pat. No.8,014,974 (“System and method for analyzing and reporting machineoperating parameters”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,983,759 (“Advanced patientmanagement for reporting multiple health-related parameters”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,756,822 (“Operational reporting architecture”); U.S. Pat. No.7,245,702 (“Method and apparatus for determining and reporting theoperational status of an integrated services hub”).

Extensive operation 2592 describes causing a modular observation unit tobe lifted and activated within at most about an hour of the modularobservation unit becoming part of the first unmanned aerial device (e.g.an interface control module 1114, motion control module 1158, deviceactivation module 1472, and an engagement structure 2030 of UAD 1005jointly picking up cargo module 2090 and then activating a data handlingunit 2078 thereof). This can occur, for example, in a context in whichengagement structure 2030 (one or more robotic arms 2039, e.g.) comprisea mechanical linkage 2040 between cargo module 2090 and the remainder ofUAD 1005; in which interface control module 1114 transmits one trigger2115 causing motion control module 1158 to engage one or more motors1081, 1082 to rotate props 1071, 1072 so that UAD 1005 takes off; and inwhich interface control module 1114 transmits another trigger 2116causing device activation module 1472 to acquire image data 1241 byactivating a camera 2071 of data handling unit 2078. In some variants,for example, trigger 2116 may be configured to actuate post 2006(sliding it along shaft 2025 rightward, as shown, into recess 2023,e.g.) so that post 2006 engages and supports a modular observation unit(a package 2050 containing a sensor array 1494, e.g.). This can occur ina context in which motion control module 1158 positions UAD 1005 so thata topmost portion of package 2050 extends up into groove 2026, forexample. In other contexts, a user may (optionally) position structure2030 (relative to package 2050, e.g.) or may otherwise facilitatelinkage 2040. Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, themodular observation unit (a camera 2071 or GPS 1063 in cargo module2090, e.g.) may be lifted (by engagement structure 2030, e.g.)responsive to an indication of the modular observation unit becomingpart of the first unmanned aerial device (a control signal activatingengagement structure 2030 or a sensor signal indicating an activation ofengagement structure 2030, e.g.) or to the modular observation unitbeing activated. In some variants, moreover, the modular observationunit may be activated (by device activation module 1472, e.g.)responsive to an indication of the modular observation unit becomingpart of the first unmanned aerial device (a control signal activatingengagement structure 2030 or a sensor signal indicating an activation ofengagement structure 2030, e.g.) or to the modular observation unitbeing lifted. In a context in which UAD 1005 implements UAD 501,moreover, such a user may generate one or more triggers 2111-2120 asdescribed herein (trigger 2116 causing device activation module 1472 toacquire sensor data, e.g.) by pressing a button 561 (positioned on acargo module 2090 of UAD 1005, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for aerial motion control without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,962,254 (“Method and system for assisting flight controlof a low-flying aircraft”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,238 (“Automatic velocitycontrol system for aircraft”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,143 (“Method andapparatus for disabling pilot control of a hijacked aircraft”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,806,371 (“Remote control model aircraft with laser tagshooting action”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,787,998 (“Method and device forassisting the lateral control of an aircraft running on a runway”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,669,805 (“Device for remotely controlling aircraft controlsurfaces”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,024 (“Automatic heading control systemfor tiltrotor aircraft and helicopters”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,262,730(“Method and a station for assisting the control of an aircraft”); U.S.Pat. No. 6,991,304 (“Method and device for automatic control of anaircraft deceleration in running phase”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,917,863(“System for assuming and maintaining secure remote control of anaircraft”).

Extensive operation 2599 describes signaling a decision whether or notto configure the first unmanned aerial device to continue observing afirst person responsive to a prior observation of the first person (e.g.task implementation module 1134 responding to a behavioral indication2102 from pattern recognition module 1422 by generating a positive ornegative decision 2132 about whether to transmit a trigger 2117instructing UAD 801 to continue one or more tasks 492, 493 that includeobserving person 727). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich a portable article 1400 (UAD 701, e.g.) comprising secondary unit1150 is positioned so that it can observe person 727 (sensing his speechor movements, e.g.); in which an initial task 492 comprises UAD 802providing image data 1241 or other sensor data (comprising the priorobservation, e.g.) to pattern recognition module 1422 for analysis; inwhich pattern recognition module 1422 comprises one or more of a gesturedetection module 1402 or a spoken expression detection module 1403 or anoptical condition detection module; and in which a positive behavioralindication 2102 results from one or more recognizable events 1412-1415being detected. In some contexts, task implementation module 1134 may beconfigured so that decision 2132 will generally be negative(contraindicative of monitoring, e.g.) if the behavioral indication 2102is normal (within expected bounds, e.g.), for example, and willotherwise generally be positive. In some variants, moreover, patternrecognition module 1422 may be configured to detect events (a key pressinput detection event 1415, e.g.) relating to person 727 from otherUAD's or systems described herein (a keyboard 1391 or other input 121 ofa stationary primary unit 110, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, insome contexts, pattern recognition module 1422 may be configured totransmit a positive or negative behavioral indication 2102 resultingfrom some other event (a timer expiration, e.g.) occurring before any ofsuch recognizable events (recognizable by whichever event/conditiondetection logic 1410 is active, e.g.) are detected.

Alternatively or additionally, task implementation module 1134 may beconfigured to perform operation 2599 by responding to one or moreattribute indications 2101 (relating to identity, shape, preference, orother such static attributes, e.g.) of a subject of observation (an itemrecipient 2850 or other person described herein, e.g.). Taskimplementation module 1134 may thus be configured to implement acontinued observation of such a subject via a “first” UAD 801 inresponse to any combination of (1) one or more indications 2104 that thesubject's face 2865 or clothing 728 resembles that of a particularperson of interest, (2) one or more indications 2105 that the subjecthas spoken or otherwise used particular terminology of interest (athreat or classified program name, e.g.), or (3) one or more indications2106 that the subject has taken a recognizable action of interest (fireda gun or entered an office 1380, e.g.). Such recognizable indications2104-2106 may be based on the “prior observations” from the “first” UAD801, from another UAD 802, from another device, or from some combinationof these. In some contexts, for example, such indications 2104-2106 fromtwo or more such devices may be correlated or otherwise aggregated (byselective retention module 159, e.g.) according to status-indicativedata (image data 1241, GPS data 1242, or timing data 1243 indicative ofperformance, e.g.) from each respective device.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for detecting a particular person or event without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,184,914 (“Method and systemof person identification by facial image”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,170,532(“Method and system for identification using a portable wirelesscommunication device of a person”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,144,881 (“Audio gaincontrol using specific-loudness-based auditory event detection”); U.S.Pat. No. 8,109,891 (“Device and method for detecting an epilepticevent”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,040,245 (“Hand washing monitor for detectingthe entry and identification of a person”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,036,891(“Methods of identification using voice sound analysis”); U.S. Pat. No.7,995,731 (“Tag interrogator and microphone array for identifying aperson speaking in a room”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,774,719 (“System and methodfor conducting online visual identification of a person”); U.S. Pat. No.7,653,697 (“System, method and apparatus for communicating via soundmessages and personal sound identifiers”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,596,248(“Method for identification of person by recognition of a digitalfingerprint”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,596,241 (“System and method for automaticperson counting and detection of specific events”); U.S. Pat. No.7,492,926 (“Method for identifying a person from a detected eye image”).

With reference now to flow 26 of FIG. 26 and to other flows 15-19, 23-25described above, in some variants, one or more intensive operations2611, 2616, 2617 described below may (optionally) be performed inconjunction with one or more intensive operations described above.Alternatively or additionally, one or more extensive operations 2693,2694, 2695 described below may likewise comprise or be performed inconjunction with one or more extensive operations described above.

Intensive operation 2611 describes causing another unmanned aerialdevice to capture delivery data relating to the first unmanned aerialdevice (e.g. device activation module 1471 transmitting one or morerequests 373, invitations 374, or other triggers 2284 that result in UAD803 acquiring observations of UAD 801 completing a delivery). Referringto FIG. 8, for example, this can occur in a context in which a trackingcontrol module 149 aboard UAD 803 receives a task description 1252specifying what audio clips 563, photographs 553, 554 or other recordsmay constitute acceptable delivery data 2253 and in which deviceactivation module 1471 resides in UAD 801 (as the “first” UAD, e.g.) orin a stationary control unit 860 in wireless communication with UAD 803.Alternatively or additionally, device activation module 1471 may performoperation 2611 by configuring another UAD (an instance of UAD 1005,e.g.) to indicate an observed result 2223 (a location or other indicatorof incremental success, e.g.) of one or more other tasks 491-499(incorporating a delivery component, e.g.) being undertaken by a “first”UAD described herein.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for programmatic image capture or other event tracking withoutundue experimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,149,288 (“Image capturedevice that records image accordant with predetermined condition andstorage medium that stores program”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,004,563 (“Methodand system for effectively performing event detection using featurestreams of image sequences”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,643,686 (“Multi-tieredimage clustering by event”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,476,796 (“Image controllingapparatus capable of controlling reproduction of image data inaccordance with event”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,640 (“Event based aircraftimage and data recording system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,186 (“Videorecording device for retroactively reproducing a video image of anevent, while also recording images in real time”).

Intensive operation 2616 describes configuring the first unmanned aerialdevice not to be equipped with any light sensors (e.g. deviceconfiguration module 1475 transmitting a trigger 2119 that causes arobotic arm 2039 affixed to UAD 1005 to release an optical sensor aboardUAD 1005). This can occur, for example, in a context in which cargomodule 2090 implements an instance of article 1400 that includes acharge-coupled device 1493 or other sensor array 1494 comprising opticalsensors; in which another instance of article 1400 transmits trigger2119 to robotic arm 2039; in which UAD 1005 implements at least one UAD801-3 that is capable of navigating to a healthcare or item recipient2850 or other destination 530 without any need for an onboard camera2071 or CCD 1493; and in which a user can readily discern which cargomodule 2090 (if any) is being carried by UAD 1005. In some contexts, forexample, an inspection of UAD 1005 would not otherwise provide a user(recipient 2850, e.g.) with an adequate assurance of privacy.

Alternatively or additionally, operation 2616 may be performed by aninstance of device configuration module 1475 that manufactures UAD 1005(at a factory, e.g.) as a “blind” device (i.e. lacking light sensors).This can occur, for example, in a context in which “first” UAD 1005implements UAD 801 (of FIG. 8) and in which device configuration module1475 implements non-optical position sensing (sonar, e.g.) or opticalposition sensing via optical sensors not borne by UAD 1005 (in astationary control unit 860 or aboard a second UAD 802, e.g.).

Intensive operation 2617 describes causing a data handling device aboardthe first unmanned aerial device to contain a task schedule indicating afirst future delivery of a first object to a first destination and asecond future delivery of a second object to a second destination (e.g.task implementation module 1134 causing a memory 395 or disk drive 1495aboard the UAD 1005 to contain several tasks 491-494, 1211-1214comprising the first future delivery and the second future delivery).This can occur, for example, in a context in which task 491 associates(by inclusion in a single common table entry 1225, e.g.) a taskidentifier 1221 with one or more of a description of the “first”destination (an immediate vicinity 1371 of target 1360, e.g.) or adescription of the “first” object (an inhaler 2062, e.g.) or otherspecifications 1223 (tracking mode, e.g.) pertaining to the first futuredelivery; in which task 494 associates another task identifier 1221 withone or more of a description of the “second” destination 530 or adescription of the “second” object (a rescued second UAD 202, e.g.) orother specifications 1223 (aborting the delivery if anyone is present,e.g.) pertaining to the second future delivery.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for scheduling deliveries without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,090,826 (“Scheduling data delivery to manage deviceresources”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,929,559 (“Method of scheduling messagedelivery in a wireless communication system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,516,082(“Scheduling delivery of chemical products based on a predictedestimated time of exhaustion”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,437,305 (“Schedulingdelivery of products via the internet”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,233,907(“Parcel or service delivery with partially scheduled time windows”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,305 (“Method and system for scheduling onlinetargeted content delivery”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,871 (“Systems andmethods for scheduling reoccurring deliveries and pickups”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,826,534 (“Agent and method for dynamically scheduling publicationin an automated document delivery system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,290(“System and method for scheduled delivery of a software program over acable network”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,409 (“System and method forscheduling and controlling delivery of advertising in a communicationsnetwork”).

Extensive operation 2693 describes causing the first unmanned aerialdevice to execute a delivery of a single dose of a therapeutic materialto a human hand within one minute of an image capture of a portion ofthe human hand (e.g. task implementation module 1484 causing UAD 501 tocomplete a delivery of a single syringe 556 directly into a hand 2864 ofa healthcare recipient 2850 or caregiver). This can occur, for examplein a context in which such delivery occurs within a minute before orafter a camera 2836 captures one or more images (photograph 554, e.g.)depicting a palm, finger, or other feature of the hand 2864 distinctiveenough to prove the delivery recipient's identity; in which suchimage(s) also depict the syringe 2061 or other dose clearly enough toprove the delivery occurred; in which the “first” UAD carries at mostone (nominal) dose of the therapeutic material at any given time; inwhich the therapeutic material is highly addictive and expensive; and inwhich an installed dispenser or other device configured to administermore than one dose would be vulnerable to break-ins or other abuse.Alternatively, in some contexts, the only bioactive material borne byUAD 1005 (implementing UAD 501, e.g.) is the single dose 2064 in acapsule 2063.

In some embodiments, a process step occurs “within” a time interval ofan event if the event occurs before or after the process step by anamount of time that does not exceed the time interval. A device or othermodule that is configured to perform an action “within” a time intervalmay include a timer 1141 or other circuitry configured to ensure suchperformance. In fact a module may be “configured to” perform a briefaction (of 1-2 seconds, e.g.) within a long interval (of 1-2 minutes,e.g.), even if the interval is not signaled, in some contexts (in whichthe performance occurs during a portion of the interval in which theprocess step is enabled, e.g.).

In some embodiments, a device is “configured to execute” a task ifspecial-purpose hardware or software aboard the device enables the UADto actually complete the task. Likewise a UAD is “configured to execute”a task if such components aboard the UAD will enable the UAD to completethe task autonomously provided that no overriding instructions (“abort,”e.g.) or other intervening events or conditions (blockages, e.g.)prevent such completion. A component is “aboard” a UAD if it resides inor on the UAD or is mechanically supported by the UAD (hanging from theUAD by a tether or otherwise affixed to the UAD, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for automatic positioning without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,108,091 (“Automatic position-based guide toy vehicleapparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,027,761 (“Local positioning system forautomated lawn mowers”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,869,562 (“Automatic patientpositioning system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,693,565 (“Method and apparatus forautomatically positioning a structure within a field of view”); U.S.Pat. No. 7,502,684 (“Method and system for the automatic piloting of anaircraft on the approach to an airdrop position”); U.S. Pat. No.6,942,369 (“Device for the automatic adjustment of the position of theheadlights on a motor vehicle”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,596 (“Automaticpositioning of display depending upon the viewer's location”).

Extensive operation 2694 describes configuring the first unmanned aerialdevice to execute a delivery of a particular material to a vicinity of aportable device within one minute of an image capture of the vicinity ofthe portable device (e.g. task implementation module 1482 responding toa photographic image 2161 depicting a position 1463 right above a cup1464 of coffee by transmitting a trigger 2112 to one or more dispensers2038 of UAD 1005, which respond by delivering cream or sugar into thecup 1464). This can occur, for example, in a context in which taskimplementation module 1482 previously transmitted a trigger 2111commanding one or more flight control modules 151, 152 to guide UAD 1005approximately to position 1463; in which camera 2071 comprises a cargomodule 2090 carried by a robotic arm 2039 or other support structure2030 of UAD 1005; and in which camera 2071 captures a video clip 2153comprising a succession of images 2161, 2162 depicting a top view of cup1464 via which an optical condition detection module 1404 mayeffectively control the alignment of the one or more dispensers 2038relative to cup 1464. In some contexts, for example, other preparations(verifying a user preference, e.g.) may occur before the delivery iscompleted (during the “one minute,” e.g.). Alternatively oradditionally, in some variants, such an image 2161 (suitable forverifying alignment, e.g.) may be obtained via a charge-coupled device1493 (aboard UAD 1005 or another UAD tasked with observation, e.g.) orvia a stationary-mount surveillance camera 936 (mounted on a building935 or other stationary object, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for delivering an item to a vicinity of a device without undueexperimentation or for configuring other decisions and devices asdescribed herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,167,786 (“Systems andmethods for delivering a medical implant to an anatomical location in apatient”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,822,463 (“Method for delivering a device to atarget location”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,631 (“Mail processing system andmethod of delivering articles to delivery locations therein”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,670,329 (“Systems and methods for delivering drugs to selectedlocations within the body”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,156 (“Apparatus andmethod for delivering beneficial agents to subterranean locations”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,183 (“Locator and delivery device and method ofuse”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,555 (“Method and apparatus for deliveringmail items to non-postal route locations”).

Extensive operation 2695 describes causing the first unmanned aerialdevice to execute a delivery of a particular object to a human recipientcontemporaneously with an image capture of a portion of the humanrecipient (e.g. task implementation module 1483 transmitting one or moretriggers 2110, 2116 that configure UAD 1005 to deliver the object torecipient 2850 within about ten seconds of when a camera 2071, 2836captures an image 2164 of a hand 2864 or face 2865 of the recipient2850). This can occur, for example, in a context in which the objectcomprises a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) chip 1461, anenvelope 551 or other package 2050 (containing an inhaler 2062 or othertherapeutic product 2060, e.g.), a data handling unit 2078 (a memory 395or other medium, e.g.), a battery 2085 or other power source, a wearablearticle (earpiece 2861 or wristband 2863, e.g.), a “second” UAD, orsimilar physical objects. In some variants, for example, such imagecapture occurs in response to one or more triggers from taskimplementation module 1483.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for determining how one or more portions of a person's bodyare positioned without undue experimentation or for configuring otherdecisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.7,978,084 (“Body position monitoring system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,949,089(“Apparatus and method for tracking feature's position in human body”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,267 (“Articles of apparel providing enhanced bodyposition feedback”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,916,066 (“Method and apparatus fora body position monitor and fall detector using radar”); U.S. Pat. No.7,889,913 (“Automatic compositing of 3D objects in a still frame orseries of frames”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,630,806 (“System and method fordetecting and protecting pedestrians”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,031 (“Methodand device for detecting the position and the posture of a human body”);U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,449 (“Methods and system for assessing limb positionsense during movement”).

With reference now to flow 27 of FIG. 27 and to other flows 15-19, 23-26described above, in some variants, one or more intensive operations2712, 2719 described below may (optionally) be performed in conjunctionwith one or more intensive operations described above. Alternatively oradditionally, one or more extensive operations 2795, 2796 describedbelow may likewise comprise or be performed in conjunction with one ormore extensive operations described above.

Intensive operation 2712 describes determining whether or not anoperator of the first unmanned aerial device has indicated a trackingmode of the first unmanned aerial device (e.g. interface control module1110 determining whether any specifications 1223 provided by a user 226of UAD 1005 contain any indication 2109 of whether or how any ongoing orfuture task 491-499, 1211-1214 assigned to UAD 1005 should be tracked).This can occur, for example, in a context in which user 226 indicatesvia input 391 (a mouse or keyboard 1391, e.g.) a decision 2131 that adefault tracking mode 361 for UAD 1005 (for use in tasks not specifyingan exception, e.g.) should be “none” (not record any aspect of tasksperformed by UAD 1005, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, suchdecisions 2131 or specifications 1223 may indicate “periodic” tracking(recording image data 1241, GPS data 1242, wind speed, or otherstatus-indicative data 1240 relating to UAD 1005 periodically, e.g.)with operating parameter 2127 specifying the tracking period (how longto wait between successive recording events, e.g.) and operatingparameter 2128 specifying the source of data to be recorded(event/condition detection logic 1410 or camera 2071, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for task performance monitoring without undue experimentationor for configuring other decisions and devices as described herein. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,171,474 (“System and method for managing,scheduling, controlling and monitoring execution of jobs by a jobscheduler utilizing a publish/subscription interface”); U.S. Pat. No.8,164,461 (“Monitoring task performance”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,996,658(“Processor system and method for monitoring performance of a selectedtask among a plurality of tasks”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,953,806 (“Taskassignment and progress monitoring in an instant messaging session”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,946 (“Virtual microscope system for monitoring theprogress of corneal ablative surgery and associated methods”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,764,179 (“Method of an apparatus for monitoring the processingcycle of a job and instructing workers to perform events or stepsaccording to a standard”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,213 (“Apparatus andmethod for monitoring progress of customer generated trouble tickets”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,494,464 (“Monitoring system for monitoring the progressof neurological diseases”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,019 (“System and methodfor real-time configurable monitoring and management of task performancesystems”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,653 (“Method and apparatus for monitoringthe progress of labor”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,690 (“Monitoring system fordetermining progress in a fabrication activity”); U.S. Pat. No.6,034,361 (“System for monitoring the progress of a chemical reaction ina microwave-assisted heating system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,316 (“Golfcourse progress monitor to alleviate slow play”).

Intensive operation 2719 describes overriding a first task beingperformed by the first unmanned aerial device by transmitting a wirelesssignal indicative of a second task to the first unmanned aerial device(e.g. task implementation module 1139 transmitting a wireless signal2192 indicative of a pickup task 1213 and a delivery task 1214 to aninterface control module 142 of a UAD 1005 that is performing alower-priority task 1211). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich interface control module 142 includes a task scheduler 1220indicating one or more ongoing, contingent, upcoming, or other tasks1211-1214; in which task scheduler 1220 earlier received (from one ormore task implementation modules 1130-1139, e.g.) another signal 2191indicative of the lower-priority task 1211; and in which scalar values1222 control the respective rankings of the scheduled tasks 1211-1214 sothat an intermediate-priority task 1212 (energy replenishment, e.g.)will be performed before “lower-priority” tasks and after“higher-priority” tasks. In other variants, however, task implementationmodule 1139 may be (a) configured to modify the scalar value 1222 oftask 1212 (to indicate a higher priority, e.g.) responsive to anindication that one or more higher priority tasks 1213, 1214 will not becompleted (due to capacity limitations, e.g.) without first executingtask 1212 or (b) configured to be performed contingently (with a highestpriority, but only if a particular condition (running below afuel/charge threshold 2294 or other such conditions set forth in thetask specification 1223, e.g.) is met.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for ranking tasks without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,200,491 (“Method and system for automatically detectingmorphemes in a task classification system using lattices”); U.S. Pat.No. 8,185,536 (“Rank-order service providers based on desired serviceproperties”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,135,708 (“Relevance ranked facetedmetadata search engine”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,095,612 (“Ranking messages inan electronic messaging environment”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,019 (“Systemsand methods for performing machine-implemented tasks”); U.S. Pat. No.7,969,922 (“Apparatus and methods for providing configurable taskmanagement of a wireless device”); U.S. Pat. No. 7945470 (“Facilitatingperformance of submitted tasks by mobile task performers”); U.S. Pat.No. 7,885,222 (“Task scheduler responsive to connectivityprerequisites”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,127,300 (“Hardware based dynamic loadbalancing of message passing interface tasks”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,005(“System for improving the performance of information retrieval-typetasks by identifying the relations of constituents”).

Extensive operation 2795 describes causing the first unmanned aerialdevice to fly toward a home station in response to an indication of aspecific person moving at least a threshold distance away from the firstunmanned aerial device (e.g. sequence recognition module 1106transmitting a trigger 423 to a controller 1085, 1095 of the “first” UADinstructing the latter to fly home in response to an outcome of protocol418 indicating that one or more device-identifiable people 725 havemoved at least a minimum distance 2174 in a direction generally awayfrom the 1st UAD). This can occur, for example, in a context in which(at least) the navigation of UAD 1005 is locally controlled (viaon-board controller 1085, e.g.); in which controller 1085 has access toprotocol 418 (implemented therein as a software subroutine or inspecial-purpose circuitry, e.g.); in which the “first” UAD comprises ahelicopter 1002 or other UAD 1005 of FIG. 10 (featuring one or moreaspects of UAD's depicted above in systems 4-9, e.g.); and in which oneor more kiosks 250 or other stations 520, 930 are qualifying “homestations” (identified by coordinates 606, a distinctive auditory oroptical signal from a beacon 217 near such station(s), or other suchexpressions 2122 (in trigger 423, e.g.) useable by a flight controlmodule 151, 152.

In one context, sequence recognition module 1106 (implementing oneembodiment of protocol 418, e.g.) has been notified that entityidentification module 144 has detected person 725 being “near” the firstUAD—close enough that facial recognition, proximity sensors 449, orother suitable technologies described herein generate an output 1142identifying person 725 as the “specific person” and explicitly orotherwise indicating a distance 2171 and direction 2186 of initialseparation (in a 2- or 3-dimensional frame of reference, e.g.). Sequencerecognition module 1106 responds to this notification by iterativelydetermining (each 0.1 or 1 second, e.g.) where person 725 is relative toher prior position (indicating her movement distance 2172 and direction2187, e.g.) and by accumulating the movements (as vector-valued orscalar-valued components, e.g.) and comparing a resultant vectormagnitude or other scalar distance 2173 (for at least those iterationsin which person 725 moved generally away from the first UAD, e.g.)against the threshold distance 2174. (It should be noted that device 775would be moving “generally away” from another UAD 701, situated directlyto the south as shown, by moving west-northwest or north oreast-northeast.) In some contexts, sequence recognition module 1106 maybe configured to transmit a heading or otherwise-expressed direction2188 (comprising trigger 423, e.g.) generally toward a (nearest orother) home station 520 relative to UAD 701's current location, wherebyUAD 701 is caused to fly toward home station 520.

Alternatively or additionally, protocol 418 (implemented in a sequencerecognition module 1107 within a controller 1095 remote from a “first”UAD 1005 under its control, e.g.) may make a similar determination of aUAD user 226, 626 (either being the “specific person”) moving at least athreshold distance 2175 (of roughly 1 to 10 meters, within 1 or 2 ordersof magnitude, e.g.) away from the first UAD as a manifestation of suchuser(s) being finished with or otherwise not in need of the first UAD.This can occur, for example, in a context in which “first” UAD 1005 haslanded or started hovering in a locality in response to sequencerecognition module 1107 receiving an indication of such user(s) beingnear the first UAD (from entity identification module 144 or proximitysensor 449, e.g.).

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for estimating a distance or movement (of one person or objectrelative to another, e.g.) without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,782,365 (“Enhanced video/still image correlation”); U.S.Pat. No. 8,219,312 (“Determining speed parameters in a geographicarea”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,219,116 (“Wireless base station locationestimation”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,207,869 (“Position estimation fornavigation devices”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,138,976 (“Method for positionestimation using generalized error distributions”); U.S. Pat. No.7,592,945 (“Method of estimating target elevation utilizing radar datafusion”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,532,896 (“Wireless node location mechanismusing antenna pattern diversity to enhance accuracy of locationestimates”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,068,802 (“Estimating the location of awireless terminal based on calibrated signal-strength measurements”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,895,013 (“Estimation of the speed of a mobile device”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,554 (“Methods and apparatus for position estimationusing reflected light sources”).

Extensive operation 2796 describes responding to a determination ofwhether or not a received signal expresses a first name of the firstunmanned aerial device and whether or not the received signal expressesa second name of the first unmanned aerial device (e.g. patternrecognition module 1423 transmitting respective results 2224, 2225 ofsearching a sequence 2121 of characters of an incoming signal 2194 forany instance of the “first” UAD name 1425 or any instance of the“second” UAD name 1426). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich such results 2224, 2225 are each Boolean values (“positive” iffound and otherwise “negative,” e.g.); in which such names 1425, 1426are aliases 822, 823 identifying UAD 802; in which control unit 860includes storage or transmission media 2100, 2200; and in whichinstances of article 1400 comprise control unit 860 and reside innetwork 890. Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, patternrecognition module 1423 may respond to a positive search/comparisonresult (an indication that at least one of the UAD names was found amongin signal 2194, e.g.) by programmatically and conditionally invoking oneor more device activation modules 1471, 1472 or causing a transmissionof one or more triggers 2111-2120 described herein.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for pattern matching without undue experimentation or forconfiguring other decisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,209,278 (“Computer editing system for common textualpatterns in legal documents”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,209,171 (“Methods andapparatus relating to searching of spoken audio data”); U.S. Pat. No.8,171,567 (“Authentication method and system”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,023,695(“Methods for analyzing electronic media including video and audio”);U.S. Pat. No. 7,917,514 (“Visual and multi-dimensional search”); U.S.Pat. No. 8,131,540 (“Method and system for extending keyword searchingto syntactically and semantically annotated data”).

Referring again to the flow embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 23-27, othervariants of data acquisition module 138 may perform operation53—obtaining first data indicating that a first unmanned aerial devicedelivered a first item to a first entity—by asking for, receiving, andrecording (via an interface 390 or other data handling unit 2078 in avicinity 2855 of an item recipient 2850, e.g.) a spoken confirmation 382that the item was received. This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich UAD 1005 includes data handling unit 207; in which an engagementstructure 2030 of UAD 1005 (post 2006 or robotic arm 2039, e.g.)releases cargo module 490 (a cell phone, e.g.) in a vicinity 2855 ofrecipient 2850; and in which data acquisition module 138 triggers thedata handling unit 2078 to ask for and cause a recordation of a spokenconfirmation 382 (as audio clip 563, for example, obtained by conductingan automated telephone call or similar verbal interchange via datahandling unit 2078, e.g.) from recipient 2850. In the variants set forthabove, for example, operation 53 and one or more others of theabove-describe intensive operations may be initiated by processor 365(executing a respective variant of high-level command 484, e.g.) or byinvoking special-purpose circuitry as described above.

Other variants of data delivery module 153 may likewise performoperation 84 of flow 15—transmitting via a free space medium the firstdata to a provider of the first item as an automatic and conditionalresponse to the first data indicating that the first unmanned aerialdevice delivered the first item to the first entity, the first dataindicating at least one of the first item or the first entity or thefirst unmanned aerial device—by transmitting (to a sender 510 of cargomodule 490, e.g.) a wireless signal 2195 (via station 520 through air585, e.g.) containing the recorded spoken confirmation 382 or other dataindicating the delivery within a few minutes after data acquisitionmodule 138 obtains such confirmation. This can occur, for example, in acontext in which one or more systems 5-9 described above implementprimary unit 110, in which UAD 1005 implements the “first” UAD, and inwhich sender 510 would otherwise be unwilling to send cargo module 490via UAD 1005. In the variants set forth above, for example, operation 84and one or more others of the above-describe extensive operations may beinitiated by processor 365 (executing a respective variant of high-levelcommand 485, e.g.) or by invoking special-purpose circuitry as describedabove.

Referring again to the flow variants of FIGS. 16 and 23-27, othervariants of coordinate communication module 136 may perform operation51—obtaining first position data from a first entity, by a secondentity, the first entity being a first unmanned aerial device—byreceiving an address 562 from UAD 501 indicating the position of sender510). This can occur, for example, in a context in which UAD 501implements UAD 1005 as described above; in which sender 510 is or hasthe “first” resource (a data handling unit 2078 or other package 2050 orproduct 2060 described herein, e.g.); and in which such resource(s) maybe allocated as described herein (purchased or temporarily reserved bythe “second” entity, e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context inwhich the second entity (recipient 2850, e.g.) is remote from thelocation specified by the first position data (not within the same roomor facility, e.g.). In the variants set forth above, for example,operation 51 and one or more others of the above-describe intensiveoperations may be initiated by processor 365 (executing a respectivevariant of high-level command 484, e.g.) or by invoking special-purposecircuitry as described above.

Other variants of resource reservation module 156 may likewise performoperation 83 of flow 16—signaling a decision whether or not to allocatea first resource to the second entity after the first position datapasses from the first unmanned aerial device to the second entity, thefirst resource being associated with the first position data—bytransmitting an indication 2107 that a request 373 for such a resourcereservation 376 has been declined. This can occur in a context in whichthe first resource is offline or otherwise unavailable, for example, orin which no device is authorized to grant a reservation of the firstresource. In some contexts, for example, resource reservation module 156may be configured to manage other resources within a defined zone 781 orof a particular type (products 2060, e.g.). Alternatively oradditionally, in some variants, resource reservation module 156 may beconfigured to provide (automatically and conditionally, e.g.) one ormore signals other than whether or not to allocate the first resource(“stand by while I contact an authorized agent for you,” e.g.). In thevariants set forth above, for example, operation 83 and one or moreothers of the above-describe extensive operations may be initiated byprocessor 365 (executing a respective variant of high-level command 485,e.g.) or by invoking special-purpose circuitry as described above.

In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may beapplied for configuring special-purpose circuitry or other structureseffective for associating a user or a device with another user oranother device without undue experimentation or for configuring otherdecisions and devices as described herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.8,023,485 (“Method, system and device for realizing user identityassociation”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,979,585 (“System and method to associatea private user identity with a public user identity”); U.S. Pat. No.7,970,660 (“Identifying associations between items andemail-address-based user communities”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,505 (“Systemand method for associating a user with a user profile in a computernetwork environment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,894,812 (“Automatic over-the-airupdating of a preferred roaming list (PRL) in a multi-mode device, basedon an account association between the device and a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) access point”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,099 (“Associatingmultiple visibility profiles with a user of real-time communicationsystem”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,716,378 (“System and method to associate aprivate user identity with a public user identity”); U.S. Pat. No.7,703,691 (“Multiple device and/or user association”); U.S. Pat. No.7,627,577 (“System and method for maintaining an association between adistribution device and a shared end user characteristic”); U.S. Pat.No. 6,473,824 (“Dynamic association of input/output device withapplication programs”).

Referring again to the flow variants of FIGS. 17 and 23-27, othervariants of interface control module 141 may perform operation52—causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual toa first destination—by signaling via UAD 1005 a direction 2189 of one ormore waypoints 642, 742 relative to a current position of the “first”individual along a path to the first destination. In the context of FIG.6, for example, an interface control module 141 may be configured toperform operation 52 by prompting UAD 601 (implementing UAD 1005, e.g.)to signal (via a wireless communication linkage 694, e.g.) a directionof a waypoint 642 to guide a driver (by causing user interface 660 todisplay an upward arrow to user 626, e.g.) along a path 643 to the firstdestination (parking space 648, e.g.). Another implementation ofinterface control module 141 may be configured to perform operation 52by configuring UAD 701 (implementing UAD 1005, e.g.) to signal adirection of a waypoint 742 to guide a pedestrian (via a speaker 1171 ordisplay 1172 aboard UAD 1005, e.g.) along a path 743 (to “first”destination 530, e.g.). In relation to these variants and others setforth above, operation 52 and one or more others of the above-describeintensive operations may (optionally) be initiated by processor 365(executing a respective variant of high-level command 484, e.g.) or byinvoking special-purpose circuitry as described above.

Other variants of flight control module 152 may likewise performoperation 85 of flow 17—causing the first unmanned aerial device to flyto a second destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destination—bycausing UAD 1005 to fly to the “second” destination after, andresponsive to, the “first” individual apparently arriving at a parkingspace 648 or other “first” destination 530). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which the “second” destination relates to atask 491-499 to be performed next; in which one or more otherconditions, events, or indications 2101-2109 described herein also occur(detected by event/condition detection logic 1410 or signaled by one ormore triggers 2111-2120, e.g.); and in which flight control module 152implements such flight by triggering a task implementation module 1485aboard UAD 1005 to activate one or more motors 1081-1083 aboard UAD 1005controlling one or more props 1071-1073 aboard UAD 1005. In the variantsset forth above, for example, operation 85 and one or more others of theabove-describe extensive operations may be initiated by processor 365(executing a respective variant of high-level command 485, e.g.) or byinvoking special-purpose circuitry as described above.

Referring again to the flow variants of FIGS. 18 and 23-27, othervariants of enlistment module 133 may perform operation 54—indicating afirst unmanned aerial device participating in a first task—by notifyingdevice operators (e.g. users 226, 626) or other persons 725, 726 that a“first” task 491-499 (or component task thereof) as described herein hasbeen begun by or accepted on behalf of “first” UAD 1005. This can occur,for example, in a context in which network 190 contains UAD 1005 and inwhich primary unit 110 contains interface device 310 and event/conditiondetection unit 400. In the variants set forth above, for example,operation 54 and one or more others of the above-describe intensiveoperations may be initiated by processor 365 (executing a respectivevariant of high-level command 484, e.g.) or by invoking special-purposecircuitry as described above.

Other variants of control unit 860 may likewise perform operation 82 offlow 18—signaling a decision whether or not to cause the first unmannedaerial device to recognize an alias identifying the first unmannedaerial device as an automatic and conditional response to an indicationof the first unmanned aerial device participating in the first task, thealias being different than a primary digital identifier of the firstunmanned aerial device—by configuring a name recognition module 147 ofcontrol unit 860 to recognize and use the primary identifier 821 of UAD1005 (instead of an alias, e.g.) partly based on an indication of UAD1005 participating in a “first” task 491-499 described herein and partlybased on an indication that UAD 1005 has not accepted any aliases 822,823. This can occur, for example, in a context in which the decision isnegative (not to cause UAD 1005 to recognize any aliases, e.g.); inwhich control unit 860 makes the negative decision in response to UAD1005 not responding to a configuration request within a prescribedinterval; in which UAD 1005 implements UAD 802; in which control unit860 implements primary unit 110; and in which control unit 860 addressesUAD 1005 during such task(s) using primary identifier 821.Alternatively, in some contexts, UAD 1005 may generate such a negativedecision. In the variants set forth above, for example, operation 82 andone or more others of the above-describe extensive operations may beinitiated by processor 365 (executing a respective variant of high-levelcommand 485, e.g.) or by invoking special-purpose circuitry as describedabove.

Referring again to the flow variants of FIGS. 19 and 23-27, othervariants of tracking control module 977 may perform operation55—obtaining a tracking mode of a delivery task of a first unmannedaerial device—by receiving a device-executable command sequence 2125implementing a user-defined mode 363 of tracking one or more deliverytasks 491, 494 performed or being performed by UAD 1005. This can occur,for example, in a context in which UAD 1005 implements interface device310 and media 1200, 2100; in which processor 365 executesdevice-executable command sequence 2125 (e.g. capturing one or more ofimage data 1241, GPS data 1242, or timing data 1243) periodically or inresponse to a trigger 2111-2120 described herein. Alternatively oradditionally, a one or more user-specified expressions 2122 (expressingrules that incorporate OR, AND, or other logical operators, e.g.) mayidentify one or more device-detectable indications 2101-2109 that enableor disable such tracking (respectively as a prerequisite or exception,e.g.). In the variants set forth above, for example, operation 55 andone or more others of the above-describe intensive operations may beinitiated by processor 365 (executing a respective variant of high-levelcommand 484, e.g.) or by invoking special-purpose circuitry as describedabove.

Other variants of selective retention module 158 may likewise performoperation 81 of flow 19—signaling a decision whether or not to omit arecord of the first unmanned aerial device completing the delivery taskof the first unmanned aerial device as an automatic and conditionalresponse to the tracking mode of the delivery task of the first unmannedaerial device—by transmitting a selection of records 961-964 that arerecognized by one or more gesture detection modules 1402, spokenexpression detection modules 1403, optical condition detection modules1404, or other pattern recognition modules 1421-1423 configured todetect one or more events 1412-1414 (a gesture or word or otherexpression of acknowledgment from a delivery recipient 2850, e.g.)specified by the tracking mode (and detectable as visual or auditoryphenomena in one or more records 961-964, e.g.). This can occur, forexample, in a context in which a sender 510 of an item delivered decidesto specify what kind(s) of expression (saying “take my picture,” e.g.)should trigger tracking; in which the sender 510 expresses suchdecision(s) as the tracking mode 982; and in which the first UAD 1005would not otherwise perform any tracking upon completion of one or moredelivery tasks 491, 494. In the variants set forth above, for example,operation 81 and one or more others of the above-describe extensiveoperations may be initiated by processor 365 (executing a respectivevariant of high-level command 485, e.g.) or by invoking special-purposecircuitry as described above.

Referring again to flows 15-19 and to variants thereof described withreference to FIGS. 23-27, in some implementations, each of these flowsmay (optionally) be performed entirely within a “first” unmanned aerialdevice (in UAD 1005, e.g.) or within another device described herein. Insome implementations, for example, each of these flows may be performedentirely within a vehicle as described herein (car 602, e.g.) or withina single handheld device (e.g. a cell phone or handheld UAD 202, 701) orin a wearable article (an earpiece 2861, wristband 2863, or similarchip-containing device, for example, or an article of clothing 728having such a device affixed thereto). Alternatively or additionally,the first unmanned aerial device may include the second aerial device(as a cargo module 2090 thereof, e.g.). In some embodiments, moreover,each of these flows may be performed by a network 1090 of devices orotherwise shared among two or more such devices 1010.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious aspects described herein which can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, orany combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various typesof “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electricalcircuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry havingat least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of randomaccess memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communicationsdevice (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electricalequipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that thesubject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog ordigital fashion or some combination thereof.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light ofthis disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein describedcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussionaccompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptualclarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated.Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and theaccompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their moregeneral classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended tobe representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specificcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be takenlimiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelesslyinteracting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logicallyinteractable components.

In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as“configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,”“adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generallyencompass active-state components and/or inactive-state componentsand/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to claims containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the artto implement devices and/or processes and/or systems, and thereafter useengineering and/or other practices to integrate such implemented devicesand/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/orprocesses and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devicesand/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated intoother devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount ofexperimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize thatexamples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems mightinclude—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devicesand/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., anairplane, rocket, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., acar, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) abuilding (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance(e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) acommunications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, aVoice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an InternetService Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Qwest, SouthwesternBell, etc.), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity (e.g., Sprint,Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc.

In certain cases, use of a system or method may occur in a territoryeven if components are located outside the territory. For example, in adistributed computing context, use of a distributed computing system mayoccur in a territory even though parts of the system may be locatedoutside of the territory (e.g., relay, server, processor, signal-bearingmedium, transmitting computer, receiving computer, etc. located outsidethe territory).

A sale of a system or method may likewise occur in a territory even ifcomponents of the system or method are located and/or used outside theterritory. Further, implementation of at least part of a system forperforming a method in one territory does not preclude use of the systemin another territory.

With respect to the numbered clauses and claims expressed below, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein maygenerally be performed in any order. Also, although various operationalflows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that thevarious operations may be performed in other orders than those which areillustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of suchalternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted,reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous,reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise.Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or otherpast-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude suchvariants, unless context dictates otherwise. Also in the numberedclauses below, specific combinations of aspects and embodiments arearticulated in a shorthand form such that (1) according to respectiveembodiments, for each instance in which a “component” or other suchidentifiers appear to be introduced (with “a” or “an,” e.g.) more thanonce in a given chain of clauses, such designations may either identifythe same entity or distinct entities; and (2) what might be called“dependent” clauses below may or may not incorporate, in respectiveembodiments, the features of “independent” clauses to which they referor other features described above.

CLAUSES

1. A system comprising:

one or more articles of manufacture including

circuitry for causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a firstindividual to a first destination; and

circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destination.

2. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to perform afirst observation of a particular task in a first zone and a secondunmanned aerial device to perform a second observation of the particulartask in a second zone.

3. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to perform afirst observation of a particular task in a first zone and a secondunmanned aerial device to perform a second observation of the particulartask in a second zone, the first zone and the second zone sharing acommon boundary.

4. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to capturenormalcy-indicative data relating to a human subject.

5. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to capturenormalcy-indicative data relating to a human subject, at least some ofthe normalcy-indicative data being negatively indicative of normalcy.

6. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to capturenormalcy-indicative data relating to a human subject, at least some ofthe normalcy-indicative data being indicative of a biometric, thebiometric being an abnormal or normal rate, the abnormal or normal ratebeing a respiration rate or a heart rate of the human subject.

7. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to capturenormalcy-indicative data relating to a human subject, at least some ofthe normalcy-indicative data being indicative of a speech rate or amovement rate of the human subject.

8. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to undertake aperformance observation task of a job that includes a performance taskand the performance observation task.

9. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a delivery ofa package to a device associated with a recipient of the package, thewireless signal indicating at least one of the first unmanned aerialdevice or the package or a sender of the package.

10. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for presenting navigation guidance via a display aboard thefirst unmanned aerial device while a primary motor of the first unmannedaerial device is not moving the first unmanned aerial device.

11. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for transmitting navigation guidance via a speaker of thefirst unmanned aerial device while a primary motor of the first unmannedaerial device is not moving the first unmanned aerial device.

12. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for identifying an operating mode of the first unmanned aerialdevice audibly or visibly while a primary motor of the first unmannedaerial device is not moving the first unmanned aerial device.

13. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for causing another unmanned aerial device to capture deliverydata relating to the first unmanned aerial device.

14. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for causing another unmanned aerial device to capture deliverydata relating to the first unmanned aerial device, the delivery datarelating to the first unmanned aerial device depicting at least one ofthe first unmanned aerial device or a vicinity of the first unmannedaerial device.

15. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device not to beequipped with any light sensors.

16. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device not to beequipped with any light sensors, the circuitry for configuring the firstunmanned aerial device not to be equipped with any light sensors beingoperably coupled with a releasable mechanical linkage, the releasablemechanical linkage being configured to support a data handling unit, thedata handling unit including at least one light sensor.

17. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for causing a data handling device aboard the first unmannedaerial device to contain a task schedule indicating a first futuredelivery of a first object to a first destination and a second futuredelivery of a second object to a second destination.

18. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for causing a data handling device aboard the first unmannedaerial device to contain a task schedule indicating a first futuredelivery of a first object to a first destination and a second futuredelivery of a second object to a second destination, the data handlingdevice aboard the first unmanned aerial device comprising at least oneof a disk drive or a volatile memory.

19. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for determining whether or not an operator of the firstunmanned aerial device has indicated a tracking mode of the firstunmanned aerial device.

20. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individualto a first destination comprises:

circuitry for overriding a second task being performed by the firstunmanned aerial device by transmitting a wireless signal indicative ofthe delivery task to the first unmanned aerial device.

21. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the one ormore articles of manufacture further comprise:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to transmit awireless signal indicative of having performed a particular task and notto store any indication of having performed the particular task.

22. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the one ormore articles of manufacture further comprise:

the first unmanned aerial device, including circuitry for signaling adecision whether or not to reserve a space for a passenger vehicle.

23. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for signaling a decision whether or not to reserve a specificresource by associating the specific resource with the first unmannedaerial device or with a specific person.

24. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for signaling a decision whether or not to reserve a specificresource by associating the specific resource with the first unmannedaerial device or with a specific person, the decision being anaffirmative decision to reserve the specific resource, the specificresource including at least one of a space or a material.

25. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for responding to an indication of the first unmanned aerialdevice becoming within a proximity of a mobile device by causing thefirst unmanned aerial device to fly to the second destination as theautomatic and conditional response to the indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination.

26. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for responding to an indication of the first unmanned aerialdevice becoming within a proximity of a mobile device by causing thefirst unmanned aerial device to fly to the second destination as theautomatic and conditional response to the indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination, the first unmanned aerialdevice having a sensor, the indication of the first unmanned aerialdevice becoming within a proximity of a mobile device including anindication of the mobile device being close enough to the sensor to bedetected by the sensor.

27. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for responding to an indication of the first unmanned aerialdevice becoming within a proximity of a mobile device by causing thefirst unmanned aerial device to fly to the second destination as theautomatic and conditional response to the indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination, the indication of thefirst unmanned aerial device becoming within a proximity of a mobiledevice including an indication of the first unmanned aerial device beingclose enough to the mobile device to be detected by the mobile device.

28. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for causing a modular observation unit to be lifted andactivated within at most about an hour of the modular observation unitbecoming part of the first unmanned aerial device.

29. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for signaling a decision whether or not to configure the firstunmanned aerial device to continue observing a first person responsiveto a prior observation of the first person.

30. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to execute adelivery of a single dose of a therapeutic material to a human handwithin one minute of an image capture of a portion of the human hand.

31. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to execute adelivery of a particular material to a vicinity of a portable devicewithin one minute of an image capture of the vicinity of the portabledevice.

32. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the circuitryfor causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a seconddestination as an automatic and conditional response to an indication ofthe first individual arriving at the first destination comprises:

circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to execute adelivery of a particular object to a human recipient contemporaneouslywith an image capture of a portion of the human recipient.

33. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the one ormore articles of manufacture further comprise:

circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly toward ahome station in response to an indication of the first individual movingat least a threshold distance away from the first unmanned aerialdevice, the second destination being the home station.

34. The system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES in which the one ormore articles of manufacture comprise:

the first unmanned aerial device, including circuitry for responding toa determination of whether or not a received signal expresses a firstname of the first unmanned aerial device and whether or not the receivedsignal expresses a second name of the first unmanned aerial device.

35. A method comprising:

causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to afirst destination; and

causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a second destinationas an automatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination.

36. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

configuring the first unmanned aerial device to perform a firstobservation of a particular task in a first zone and a second unmannedaerial device to perform a second observation of the particular task ina second zone.

37. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

configuring the first unmanned aerial device to capturenormalcy-indicative data relating to a human subject.

38. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

causing the first unmanned aerial device to undertake a performanceobservation task of a job that includes a performance task and theperformance observation task.

39. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

causing the first unmanned aerial device to undertake a performanceobservation task of a job that includes a performance task and theperformance observation task, the performance observation task includinginvoking a pattern recognition module upon auditory data relating to theperformance task.

40. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a delivery of a package toa device associated with a recipient of the package, the wireless signalindicating at least one of the first unmanned aerial device or thepackage or a sender of the package.

41. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a delivery of a package toa device associated with a recipient of the package, the wireless signalindicating at least one of the first unmanned aerial device or thepackage or a sender of the package, the wireless signal being a radiofrequency signal indicating the sender of the package and alsoindicating at least one of the first unmanned aerial device or thepackage.

42. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

presenting navigation guidance via a display aboard the first unmannedaerial device while a primary motor of the first unmanned aerial deviceis not moving the first unmanned aerial device.

43. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

presenting navigation guidance via a display aboard the first unmannedaerial device while a primary motor of the first unmanned aerial deviceis not moving the first unmanned aerial device, the navigationalguidance being presented via the display aboard the first unmannedaerial device while the first unmanned aerial device is stationary.

44. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

transmitting navigation guidance via a speaker of the first unmannedaerial device while a primary motor of the first unmanned aerial deviceis not moving the first unmanned aerial device.

45. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

transmitting navigation guidance via a speaker of the first unmannedaerial device while a primary motor of the first unmanned aerial deviceis not moving the first unmanned aerial device, the first unmannedaerial device having a rotor, the navigational guidance beingtransmitted via the speaker of the first unmanned aerial device whilethe primary motor is not turning the rotor.

46. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

identifying an operating mode of the first unmanned aerial deviceaudibly or visibly while a primary motor of the first unmanned aerialdevice is not moving the first unmanned aerial device.

47. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

identifying an operating mode of the first unmanned aerial deviceaudibly or visibly while a primary motor of the first unmanned aerialdevice is not moving the first unmanned aerial device, the operatingmode of the first unmanned aerial device being a non-flight operatingmode.

48. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

causing another unmanned aerial device to capture delivery data relatingto the first unmanned aerial device.

49. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

configuring the first unmanned aerial device not to be equipped with anylight sensors.

50. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

configuring the first unmanned aerial device not to be equipped with anylight sensors, the first unmanned aerial device being operable tonavigate without any light sensors.

51. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

causing a data handling device aboard the first unmanned aerial deviceto contain a task schedule indicating a first future delivery of a firstobject to a first destination and a second future delivery of a secondobject to a second destination.

52. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

determining whether or not an operator of the first unmanned aerialdevice has indicated a tracking mode of the first unmanned aerialdevice.

53. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

overriding a second task being performed by the first unmanned aerialdevice by transmitting a wireless signal indicative of the delivery taskto the first unmanned aerial device.

54. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination comprises:

overriding a second task being performed by the first unmanned aerialdevice by transmitting a wireless signal indicative of the delivery taskto the first unmanned aerial device from or via a second unmanned aerialdevice.

55. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES, further comprising:

configuring the first unmanned aerial device to transmit a wirelesssignal indicative of having performed a particular task and not to storeany indication of having performed the particular task.

56. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES, further comprising:

signaling a decision whether or not to reserve a space for a passengervehicle.

57. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES, further comprising:

signaling a decision whether or not to reserve a space for a passengervehicle by transmitting the decision to the first unmanned aerial deviceafter the decision has been received from a person aboard the passengervehicle.

58. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

signaling a decision whether or not to reserve a specific resource byassociating the specific resource with the first unmanned aerial deviceor with a specific person.

59. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

responding to an indication of the first unmanned aerial device becomingwithin a proximity of a mobile device by causing the first unmannedaerial device to fly to the second destination as the automatic andconditional response to the indication of the first individual arrivingat the first destination.

60. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

causing a modular observation unit to be lifted and activated within atmost about an hour of the modular observation unit becoming part of thefirst unmanned aerial device.

61. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

causing a modular observation unit to be lifted and activated within atmost about an hour of the modular observation unit becoming part of thefirst unmanned aerial device, the modular observation unit being liftedresponsive to an indication of the modular observation unit becomingpart of the first unmanned aerial device.

62. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

causing a modular observation unit to be lifted and activated within atmost about an hour of the modular observation unit becoming part of thefirst unmanned aerial device, the modular observation unit beingactivated responsive to an indication of the modular observation unitbecoming part of the first unmanned aerial device.

63. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

signaling a decision whether or not to configure the first unmannedaerial device to continue observing a first person responsive to a priorobservation of the first person.

64. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

signaling a decision whether or not to configure the first unmannedaerial device to continue observing a first person responsive to a priorobservation of the first person, the decision being an affirmativedecision to configure the first unmanned aerial device to continueobserving the first person if a pattern recognition module indicates anabnormality relating to the first person and the decision otherwisegenerally being a negative decision.

65. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

causing the first unmanned aerial device to execute a delivery of asingle dose of a therapeutic material to a human hand within one minuteof an image capture of a portion of the human hand.

66. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

causing the first unmanned aerial device to execute a delivery of asingle dose of a therapeutic material to a human hand within one minuteof an image capture of a portion of the human hand, the single dose ofthe therapeutic material including at least one of a capsule or asyringe, the first unmanned aerial device executing the delivery of thesingle dose of the therapeutic material to the human hand while astationary or pivotable camera records video data depicting the humanhand, the image capture being a component of the stationary or pivotablecamera recording the video data.

67. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

configuring the first unmanned aerial device to execute a delivery of aparticular material to a vicinity of a portable device within one minuteof an image capture of the vicinity of the portable device.

68. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

configuring the first unmanned aerial device to execute a delivery of aparticular material to a vicinity of a portable device within one minuteof an image capture of the vicinity of the portable device, theparticular material comprising a medical product, the first unmannedaerial device executing the delivery of the particular material to thevicinity of the portable device while a camera records video datadepicting the vicinity of the portable device, the image capture of thevicinity of the portable device being a component of the camerarecording video data depicting the vicinity of the portable device.

69. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

causing the first unmanned aerial device to execute a delivery of aparticular object to a human recipient contemporaneously with an imagecapture of a portion of the human recipient.

70. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES in which the invokingcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises:

causing the first unmanned aerial device to execute a delivery of aparticular object to a human recipient contemporaneously with an imagecapture of a portion of the human recipient, the particular objectcomprising at least one of a processor or an application specificintegrated circuit, the first unmanned aerial device executing thedelivery of the particular object to the human recipient while a camerarecords video data depicting the portion of the human recipient, theimage capture of the portion of the human recipient being a component ofthe camera recording video data, the video data depicting at least afacial portion of the human recipient as the portion of the humanrecipient.

71. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES, further comprising:

causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly toward a home station inresponse to an indication of the first individual moving at least athreshold distance away from the first unmanned aerial device, thesecond destination being the home station.

72. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES, further comprising:

responding to a determination of whether or not a received signalexpresses a first name of the first unmanned aerial device and whetheror not the received signal expresses a second name of the first unmannedaerial device.

73. The method of any of the above METHOD CLAUSES, further comprising:

responding to a determination of whether or not a received signalexpresses a first name of the first unmanned aerial device and whetheror not the received signal expresses a second name of the first unmannedaerial device.

74. (Independent) A method comprising:

obtaining first data indicating that a first unmanned aerial devicedelivered a first item to a first entity; and

transmitting via a free space medium the first data to a provider of thefirst item as an automatic and conditional response to the first dataindicating that the first unmanned aerial device delivered the firstitem to the first entity, the first data indicating at least one of thefirst item or the first entity or the first unmanned aerial device.

75. The method of CLAUSE 74 further comprising:

performing the operation(s) of any one or more of the above METHODCLAUSES that depend from METHOD CLAUSE 35.

76. (Independent) A method comprising:

obtaining first position data from a first entity, by a second entity,the first entity being a first unmanned aerial device; and

signaling a decision whether or not to allocate a first resource to thesecond entity after the first position data passes from the firstunmanned aerial device to the second entity, the first resource beingassociated with the first position data.

77. The method of CLAUSE 76 further comprising:

performing the operation(s) of any one or more of the above METHODCLAUSES that depend from METHOD CLAUSE 35.

78. (Independent) A method comprising:

indicating a first unmanned aerial device participating in a first task;and

signaling a decision whether or not to cause the first unmanned aerialdevice to recognize an alias identifying the first unmanned aerialdevice as an automatic and conditional response to an indication of thefirst unmanned aerial device participating in the first task, the aliasbeing different than a primary digital identifier of the first unmannedaerial device.

79. The method of CLAUSE 78 further comprising:

performing the operation(s) of any one or more of the above METHODCLAUSES that depend from METHOD CLAUSE 35.

80. (Independent) A method comprising:

obtaining a tracking mode of a delivery task of a first unmanned aerialdevice; and

signaling a decision whether or not to omit a record of the firstunmanned aerial device completing the delivery task of the firstunmanned aerial device as an automatic and conditional response to thetracking mode of the delivery task of the first unmanned aerial device.

81. The method of CLAUSE 80 further comprising:

performing the operation(s) of any one or more of the above METHODCLAUSES that depend from METHOD CLAUSE 35.

82. (Independent) A system comprising:

means for performing the operation(s) of any one or more of the aboveMETHOD CLAUSES.

83. (Independent) An article of manufacture comprising:

one or more physical media configured to bear a device-detectableimplementation of a method including at least

causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to afirst destination; and

causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a second destinationas an automatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination.

84. The article of manufacture of CLAUSE 83 in which a portion of theone or more physical media comprises:

one or more signal-bearing media configured to transmit one or moreinstructions for performing the operation(s) of any one or more of theabove METHOD CLAUSES.

85. (Independent) An article of manufacture comprising:

one or more physical media bearing a device-detectable output indicatingan occurrence of

causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to afirst destination; and

causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a second destinationas an automatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination.

86. The article of manufacture of CLAUSE 85 in which a portion of theone or more physical media comprises:

one or more physical media bearing a device-detectable output indicatingan occurrence of performing the operation(s) of any one or more of theabove METHOD CLAUSES.

All of the patents and other publications referred to above (notincluding websites) are incorporated herein by referencegenerally—including those identified in relation to particular newapplications of existing techniques—to the extent not inconsistentherewith. While various system, method, article of manufacture, or otherembodiments or aspects have been disclosed above, also, othercombinations of embodiments or aspects will be apparent to those skilledin the art in view of the above disclosure. The various embodiments andaspects disclosed above are for purposes of illustration and are notintended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicatedin the final claim set that follows.

1. A system comprising: one or more articles of manufacture includingcircuitry for causing a first unmanned aerial device to guide a firstindividual to a first destination; and circuitry for causing the firstunmanned aerial device to fly to a second destination as an automaticand conditional response to an indication of the first individualarriving at the first destination.
 2. The system of claim 1 in which thecircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises: circuitry for signaling a decision whether or not toconfigure the first unmanned aerial device to continue observing asecond individual responsive to a prior observation of the secondindividual.
 3. The system of claim 1 in which the circuitry for causingthe first unmanned aerial device to fly to a second destination as anautomatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination comprises: circuitry forconfiguring the first unmanned aerial device to capturenormalcy-indicative data relating to a second individual at the firstdestination; and circuitry for signaling a decision whether or not toconfigure the first unmanned aerial device to continue observing thesecond individual responsive to a prior observation of the secondindividual, the prior observation of the second individual including thenormalcy-indicative data relating to the second individual, the decisionwhether or not to configure the first unmanned aerial device to continueobserving the second individual being a negative decision if thenormalcy-indicative data relating to the second individual positivelyindicates normalcy and otherwise generally being a positive decision. 4.The system of claim 1 in which the one or more articles of manufacturefurther comprise: circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerialdevice to perform a first observation of a particular task in a firstzone and a second unmanned aerial device to perform a second observationof the particular task in a second zone.
 5. The system of claim 1 inwhich the one or more articles of manufacture further comprise:circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device to perform afirst observation of a particular task in a first zone and a secondunmanned aerial device to perform a second observation of the particulartask in a second zone, the first zone and the second zone sharing acommon boundary. 6-7. (canceled)
 8. The system of claim 1 in which theone or more articles of manufacture further comprise: circuitry forconfiguring the first unmanned aerial device to capturenormalcy-indicative data relating to a second individual, at least someof the normalcy-indicative data being indicative of a biometric, thebiometric being an abnormal or normal rate, the abnormal or normal ratebeing a respiration rate or a heart rate of the human subject. 9-10.(canceled)
 11. The system of claim 1 in which the one or more articlesof manufacture further comprise: circuitry for transmitting a wirelesssignal indicative of a delivery of a package to a device associated witha recipient of the package, the wireless signal indicating at least oneof the first unmanned aerial device or the package or a sender of thepackage.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The system of claim 1 in which the one ormore articles of manufacture further comprise: circuitry fortransmitting navigation guidance via a speaker of the first unmannedaerial device while a primary motor of the first unmanned aerial deviceis not moving the first unmanned aerial device.
 14. The system of claim1 in which the one or more articles of manufacture further comprise:circuitry for identifying an operating mode of the first unmanned aerialdevice audibly or visibly while a primary motor of the first unmannedaerial device is not moving the first unmanned aerial device. 15.(canceled)
 16. The system of claim 1 in which the one or more articlesof manufacture further comprise: circuitry for causing another unmannedaerial device to capture delivery data relating to the first unmannedaerial device, the delivery data relating to the first unmanned aerialdevice depicting at least one of the first unmanned aerial device or avicinity of the first unmanned aerial device.
 17. (canceled)
 18. Thesystem of claim 1 in which the one or more articles of manufacturefurther comprise: circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerialdevice not to be equipped with any light sensors, the circuitry forconfiguring the first unmanned aerial device not to be equipped with anylight sensors being operably coupled with a releasable mechanicallinkage, the releasable mechanical linkage being configured to support adata handling unit, the data handling unit including at least one lightsensor. 19-21. (canceled)
 22. The system of claim 1 in which the one ormore articles of manufacture further comprise: circuitry for overridinga first task being performed by the first unmanned aerial device bytransmitting a wireless signal indicative of a second task to the firstunmanned aerial device. 23-25. (canceled)
 26. The system of claim 1 inwhich the circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to flyto a second destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises: circuitry for signaling a decision whether or not to reservea specific resource by associating the specific resource with the firstunmanned aerial device or with a second individual, the decision beingan affirmative decision to reserve the specific resource, the specificresource including at least one of a space or a material.
 27. The systemof claim 1 in which the circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerialdevice to fly to a second destination as an automatic and conditionalresponse to an indication of the first individual arriving at the firstdestination comprises: circuitry for responding to an indication of thefirst unmanned aerial device becoming within a proximity of a mobiledevice by causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to the seconddestination as the automatic and conditional response to the indicationof the first individual arriving at the first destination. 28-29.(canceled)
 30. The system of claim 1 in which the circuitry for causingthe first unmanned aerial device to fly to a second destination as anautomatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination comprises: circuitry forcausing a modular observation unit to be lifted and activated within atmost about an hour of the modular observation unit becoming part of thefirst unmanned aerial device.
 31. (canceled)
 32. The system of claim 1in which the circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device tofly to a second destination as an automatic and conditional response toan indication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises: circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial device toexecute a delivery of a particular material to a vicinity of a portabledevice within one minute of an image capture of the vicinity of theportable device.
 33. The system of claim 1 in which the circuitry forcausing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to a second destinationas an automatic and conditional response to an indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination comprises: circuitry forcausing the first unmanned aerial device to execute a delivery of aparticular object to a second individual contemporaneously with an imagecapture of a portion of the second individual.
 34. The system of claim 1in which the circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device tofly to a second destination as an automatic and conditional response toan indication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises: circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to flytoward a home station in response to an indication of the firstindividual moving at least a threshold distance away from the firstunmanned aerial device, the second destination being the home station.35-36. (canceled)
 37. The system of claim 1 in which the one or morearticles of manufacture comprise: a second unmanned aerial device,including the circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device toguide the first individual to the first destination and including thecircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to thesecond destination as the automatic and conditional response to theindication of the first individual arriving at the first destination.38. The system of claim 1 in which the one or more articles ofmanufacture comprise: a handheld device, including the circuitry forcausing the first unmanned aerial device to guide the first individualto the first destination and including the circuitry for causing thefirst unmanned aerial device to fly to the second destination as theautomatic and conditional response to the indication of the firstindividual arriving at the first destination. 39-40. (canceled)
 41. Asystem comprising: one or more articles of manufacture including meansfor obtaining a tracking mode of a delivery task of a first unmannedaerial device; and means for signaling a decision whether or not to omita record of the first unmanned aerial device completing the deliverytask of the first unmanned aerial device as an automatic and conditionalresponse to the tracking mode of the delivery task of the first unmannedaerial device. 42-69. (canceled)
 70. A method comprising: causing afirst unmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination; and invoking circuitry for causing the first unmannedaerial device to fly to a second destination as an automatic andconditional response to an indication of the first individual arrivingat the first destination. 71-89. (canceled)
 90. The method of claim 70,further comprising: overriding a first task being performed by the firstunmanned aerial device by transmitting a wireless signal indicative of asecond task to the first unmanned aerial device from or via a secondunmanned aerial device. 91-107. (canceled)
 108. The method of claim 70,further comprising: causing the first unmanned aerial device to flytoward a home station in response to an indication of the firstindividual moving at least a threshold distance away from the firstunmanned aerial device, the second destination being the home station.109. (canceled)
 110. An article of manufacture comprising: one or morephysical media configured to bear a device-detectable implementation ofa method including at least causing a first unmanned aerial device toguide a first individual to a first destination; and causing the firstunmanned aerial device to fly to a second destination as an automaticand conditional response to an indication of the first individualarriving at the first destination.
 111. The article of manufacture ofclaim 110 in which a portion of the one or more physical mediacomprises: one or more signal-bearing media configured to transmit oneor more instructions for causing the first unmanned aerial device toundertake a performance observation task of a job that includes aperformance task and the performance observation task.
 112. An articleof manufacture comprising: one or more physical media bearing adevice-detectable outcome indicating an occurrence of causing a firstunmanned aerial device to guide a first individual to a firstdestination; and causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destination.113. The article of manufacture of claim 112 in which a portion of theone or more physical media comprises: one or more physical media bearinga device-detectable output indicating an occurrence of signaling adecision whether or not to configure the first unmanned aerial device tocontinue observing a second individual responsive to a prior observationof the second individual.
 114. The system of claim 1 in which thecircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly to asecond destination as an automatic and conditional response to anindication of the first individual arriving at the first destinationcomprises: circuitry for causing a modular observation unit to be liftedand activated within at most about an hour of the modular observationunit becoming part of the first unmanned aerial device; circuitry forresponding to an indication of the first unmanned aerial device becomingwithin a proximity of a mobile device by causing the first unmannedaerial device to fly to the second destination as the automatic andconditional response to the indication of the first individual arrivingat the first destination, the first destination comprising the proximityof the mobile device; circuitry for configuring the first unmannedaerial device to capture normalcy-indicative data relating to a secondindividual at the first destination; circuitry for signaling a decisionwhether or not to configure the first unmanned aerial device to continueobserving the second individual responsive to a prior observation of thesecond individual, the prior observation of the second individualincluding the normalcy-indicative data relating to the secondindividual, the decision whether or not to configure the first unmannedaerial device to continue observing the second individual being anegative decision if the normalcy-indicative data relating to the secondindividual positively indicates normalcy and otherwise generally being apositive decision; and circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerialdevice to execute a delivery of a single dose of a therapeutic materialto a human hand within one minute of an image capture of a portion ofthe human hand.
 115. The system of claim 114 in which the one or morearticles of manufacture further comprise: circuitry for transmittingnavigation guidance via a speaker of the first unmanned aerial devicewhile a primary motor of the first unmanned aerial device is not movingthe first unmanned aerial device; circuitry for configuring the firstunmanned aerial device to capture normalcy-indicative data relating tothe second individual, at least some of the normalcy-indicative databeing indicative of a biometric, the biometric being an abnormal ornormal rate, the abnormal or normal rate being a respiration rate or aheart rate of the second individual; and circuitry for configuring thefirst unmanned aerial device to perform a first observation of aparticular task in a first zone and a second unmanned aerial device toperform a second observation of the particular task in a second zone,the first zone and the second zone sharing a common boundary, theparticular task including the delivery of the single dose of thetherapeutic material.
 116. The system of claim 1 in which the one ormore articles of manufacture further comprise: circuitry for configuringthe first unmanned aerial device not to be equipped with any lightsensors, the circuitry for configuring the first unmanned aerial devicenot to be equipped with any light sensors being operably coupled with areleasable mechanical linkage, the releasable mechanical linkage beingconfigured to support a data handling unit, the data handling unitincluding at least one light sensor; circuitry for configuring the firstunmanned aerial device to transmit a wireless signal indicative ofhaving performed a particular task and not to store any indication ofhaving performed the particular task; and circuitry for causing anotherunmanned aerial device to capture delivery data relating to the firstunmanned aerial device, the delivery data relating to the first unmannedaerial device depicting at least one of the first unmanned aerial deviceor a vicinity of the first unmanned aerial device.
 117. The system ofclaim 116 in which the circuitry for causing the first unmanned aerialdevice to fly to a second destination as an automatic and conditionalresponse to an indication of the first individual arriving at the firstdestination comprises: circuitry for signaling a decision whether or notto reserve a specific resource by associating the specific resource withthe first unmanned aerial device or with the second individual, thedecision being an affirmative decision to reserve the specific resource,the specific resource including at least one of a space or a material;circuitry for signaling a decision whether or not to configure the firstunmanned aerial device to continue observing the second individualresponsive to a prior observation of the second individual; andcircuitry for causing the first unmanned aerial device to fly toward ahome station in response to an indication of the first individual movingat least a threshold distance away from the first unmanned aerialdevice, the second destination being the home station.